Dimensions

The Real Need is Self-Love!

2021-09-21T15:00:00.092+05:30

How far can one go in love?

How far can YOU go?

Do you really need to go that far?

What if you didn't go?

These are just few questions one can ask to gauge what love can be or how one perceives love to be. There are many twisted definitions of love. You can Google them and be lost - honestly. In reality, it is not as complicated as it seems to be.

When we know we love something, why does it have to take up so much effort to get to that something? Because we are either obsessing over it or do not believe that we can get that something so easily. In essence, it is easily translated to ‘The more you love something is directly proportional to the amount of effort you need to invest’.

This is not the whole truth. The bare truth, if I may say so, is that we are all operating from a space of need. Now, how did this space create itself in the first place? It seeded from a place of not having enough.

So, it turns out something like this: Me not having enough of ‘that’ = I need it more.

And, have we ever stepped back to think, why don't we have enough, that which we need*? You might want to think now, before you gaze through the next line!

The underlying emotion to all things we need is scarcity. Simply put, why would you need more if you were satisfied or were wholesome with what you already have, right? That's your cue. We have such deep-seated scarcity in all of us, that we are on a constant chase to fill the void, that need to reach that never ending goalpost, that need to become someone, that need to match the standards set by oneself or by the family and so on.. It's an endless list. This is how we have been conditioned since generations and over births. In the general course of our human nature, we get to a certain manageable or achievable point of each one of these milestones, we either enjoy or brood the feeling momentarily, strive for more and we are already onto the next "best" thing and thus the chase continues. A tiny reminder that this isn't anything to do with being ambitious or measuring one's success or failure. No! We are always on the go and we tend to be ambitious or on the chase only because we need to get better than what we were or have, with respect to all areas of our waking lives. No judgements around that at all. But, does this simple emotion behind need arise from a place of scarcity or abundance in each of the situations we put ourselves in, will answer the above question*!

In this ‘corporate rat race’, ‘dog-eat-dog world’, some of you might frown upon and think, "How can I become complacent and let things pass by, like it doesn’t matter to me". "Of course, it matters, so I will act on it". "What about my desires?". "What about my dreams?". No one is asking you to become complacent or bow out of every opportunity that comes along. That's not the point. The point is, where are all these deep-seated thoughts arising from, which eventually becomes a decision. What is the fuel that drives these actions and why are you acting at all? Most of our decisions today are on auto-pilot driven from a deep sense of wanting and to understand why that wanting makes us feel miserable as well is what we can condition ourselves to learn.

All you have to do is become aware of your thoughts and hence the actions! As simple as an awareness of where this needing or wanting is springing from is enough for a major shift, within. We are not at all conditioned to become our best selves overnight - just after reading some good content or article on the internet or a motivational book or by having a couple of good conversations with a fellow wise human - we cannot become a 180 degree version of ourselves. What is really required is self-effort, to remain in this state of awareness even for those tiny seconds to minutes as it cruises the mind. It takes tons of self-effort, I repeat - tons of self-effort, to make that shift eventually and gradually. It also takes courage to step into your own shoes (for the first time ever in a better sense) and ask few important questions.

"Why do I need this so much?"

"Will I be happy if I achieve that?"

"Will that make me feel complete?" Etc..

The answer to all such questions will only improve over time when that shift from scarcity to abundance begins at a subconscious level. Now, how fancy is this term “abundance”, one might ponder. Or, how can one feel abundant when one knows that, "that something" is physically or emotionally not available at all? My counter question is, "Do you feel you do not have enough?". If the answer is yes, then "Why?"

You might as well use the 5-Why's of Six Sigma!

It will eventually boil down to a point, where clarity starts to make space in one's mind that it is the feeling of lack that makes one keep striving for more, always was and will remain such if we let it be.

Let's just take a small tour to each of our worlds and notice how much we already have, right at this very moment.

Pause your reading or whatever that you are doing now. Close your eyes. And take a deep breath and hop onto that tour. Make a list of what YOU HAVE. Don’t stress on it. Just notice. Acknowledge it. Express heartfelt gratitude. And the beauty of abundance will unfurl – or the first attempt towards it has already begun.

It can be that easy, but the most difficult point to get to as well. It is not impossible and it isn’t a paradox. Practice this each and every day until this becomes a new conditioning of the mind. We have a lot of muck to undo – that has been going on for generations together, through our families, through our bodies and hence our lives. And this has become a collective pattern, in itself!

There is only one place you can call home. And that is right within you - filled with unconditional love, exultant joy, heart-warming affection to no other but your own self. The wise always say, you cannot pour from an empty cup and that is so true. Fill yourself to the brim so much that you are just enough. And that is what abundance is all about and self-love is all about. It is not a big deal but a great deal at it!

Self-love is not about stomping everyone in the name of it or begin commandeering everyone around us. Neither is it about having an inflated sense of self. Haha, No! That would then become arrogance and ignorance stemming from survival mode. Let's not get there at all.

Here are some parting thoughts to this! Hope you will enjoy this!

Do a daily ritual of just sitting down quietly with yourself for few minutes in a day.

Observe your feelings.

Don't force a thought or act on it, even mentally.

Watch your current emotions.

Acknowledge it.

Journal.

Be grateful.

Set Intentions

Keep Doing.

Abundance will flow!

And everything you ever thought was impossible, will start to arrive!

Life is simple. We have complicated it. Let's unfurl!

Love more!

More importantly – GIVE! 💓

An Equal Share Of Worth!

2020-12-14T23:59:00.028+05:30

All these years, through the chronicles of my life and experiences, I had found that I truly enjoyed to write - express my thoughts, observations and views - based on a series of analysis, exchange of notes and vantage points. That's how I base my thoughts, more or less. And in doing so, what seems to flow easily for me also became my identity. I call this identity because it became my ego gradually and also the place from where I derived my self-worth. If not all, but to some extent, on a momentary basis.

And today, as I posted some content on Instagram stories, which I penned in a hurry and owing to some limitations with editing once you post, I did not get a chance to alter the content and it seemed like a rustic post at it. LOL. Hence, I checked back with a dear friend for feedback and learnt she felt the same as me, that it could have been better! And in those tiny moments of space, I watched myself on how I felt. The old self would have had a cringing feeling of something not gone right, atleast with a bit of offense. But, my new self, the one writing this, has a smile on the face. Because and only because I no longer derive my self worth from writing or my ability to narrate a story. Words are no longer my identity and hence is not a source which fills me up. And since I do not operate from that space anymore, I have an overwhelming joy that binds me from a place I do not know! Paradoxical!? Life indeed is! :D

Self-worth has been an hidden agenda for all of us since time immemorial - in order to be seen as a person for who we are, at least who we think we are. And to that end, we go about establishing ourselves doing, being and seeming a certain way. And for some or most of us our self-worth arrives in the form of our family status, wealth, jobs we do, relationships we have, talents we demonstrate, places we have seen, things we have done, and a number of other checkboxes we check to feel accomplished in our lives and we are in an endless quest to fulfill that, in order to feel "full". But, let's sit back and ask ourselves, do we ever feel "full"? We have so many encounters and experiences that our to-do is a never ending list. Nobody dictates that one cannot have a to-do list in life. We all certainly have desires and activities from which we seek joy, happiness and fulfillment. The whole purpose of to-do's will fail when we are stuck in a constant loop to feel worthy (unknowingly, of course!) of the accolades that might follow, either from an external source or internal, after striking one thing and then the other off the ever growing list. That's when we can be sure that we are doing a certain thing or being a certain way because that makes us feel worthy enough. And thus, our self-worth inflates. And this is nothing but our ego in the hiding, which gets habituated with this momentary feeling of awe that it will continue to send us through trips of to-do's for life and we are in a constant hunt for happiness and pleasure - because that it is the desired output of the whole activity. Isn't!?

What we overlook is, chasing happiness will not get us too far. Somewhere down the lane, we will remain stuck with so many questions, confusions, what next's(?), that the escape would then be to choose to do something that will amplify our self-worth. Pause and give it a thought, right at this very moment. Isn't it a momentary feeling - the whole identification with something external for so long it exists? What do you think?

True happiness finds us when we break out of this shell of seeking ourselves outside of ourselves, despite what we choose to do or not do. Not matter what you do for/in life, where you are in your timelines, there is no measure of success of failure unless you believe so. You are just worthy enough. That's it! That is where it all stops. Nothing can define you in a true sense, try it for as long as you want. These definitions will keep changing based on the circumstances we see ourselves in, because we are constantly evolving. The next obvious question is does that make you happy or more confused despite doing so many many things? If the latter is true, we might be hopping from one thing to another in order to feel worthy. The constant chase! In essence, we are just as worthy as we think we are! And that is true as you read this now or read this 50 years down the lane. The truth is and will remain the same.

For those of you who didn't get the context of my deleted story on Instagram, I was trying to emphasize on equality amongst us in an advanced age like ours. We are in an era where men and women have arrived at careers with pay grades which is gender neutral - atleast in the corporate and public sectors. But, do we have the same reality on the ground with peers? That seems far from reality. Women still have to make their voices heard, express and prove on how they can indeed juggle between work and personal commitments. There are doubts expressed and we do not seem to have an atmosphere that seems welcome without prejudice. We have organizations announcing on rooftops about how friendly they are for returning mothers. But are they, as people? When women have chosen careers along with parenthood that in itself is a winner, but it takes a backseat when the fear of losing credibility sets in. To prove a point and establish an image, one will be put through a stress-test, to check the resiliency and worthiness of women with commitments! Or one might take on an unprecedented challenge with the fear of being judged less worthy or unable to meet the standards set. I do not think returning fathers have those kinds of challenges presented to them! Why? Because they are not the immediate care-takers of a new-born for a good number of successive years. And this being the natural way of things, women will continue to be child-bearers, nature is not going to turn itself upside down. This is the reality that stares at us and we can only change what is in our control. That is, our attitudes towards accommodating women folks in the workplace, as just another natural resource. Things are certainly changing but we still have a long way to go. It doesn't seem to come easy, even during the present technologically advanced times.

It's not an easy time to be existing. Well, perhaps, history might say the same as well. haha.

Nevertheless, with an increased rigor to be identified as an equal also comes the responsibility to not blur the line. We are still under transition to arrive at a place where nothing gets divided amongst people based on one's gender identity. We cannot expect to meet accommodating and understanding male counterparts/boss at every corner, we may or may not meet them. On those lines, in my honest opinion, we can achieve that only by getting comfortable in our own skin. Women, at their individual capacities, need not cave in to mounting pressures created by standards set for decades. It's imperative to set right expectations that cannot be breached, by expressing discomfort when pushed too far, by standing ground as a woman with commitments. This is not to prove how worthy women are, but to demonstrate that commitment towards parenthood (or anything personal) is non-negotiable. This has to become an eternal acceptance of women as part of workforce or choosing to have a career. Being true and acknowledging the realties around us will go a long way in changing the perceptions of folks who view women (who are also mothers) as a liability. There is nothing to prove, unless we fall into the trap of deriving self-worth from the work we do!

I am not resorting to male bashing here, although evolving, we do have these attitudes hidden somewhere underneath. That said, I have had the opportunity to witness several men in my own life who have been thorough gentlemen, who share work with women folk around them. That is a pleasing change that has set in. We need these in plenty in the world over. And this has to only grow if we were to ever arrive towards absolute equality in terms of opportunities, growth and acceptance of who we are. What might seem true in an urban setting may not be (or definitely) not true in a rural setting. We have a turn of century to change a whole lot of things. And people like us, who are educated enough to call the shots, will have to make conscious choices persistently for as long as we shall live, for our children to take it forward. Not classifying any job/chore as gender specific will definitely be a game-changer and a perfect way of living for our children and theirs. No work is above or below anyone. It's just a sub-conscious state of identifying oneself to feel worthy (more or less).

Taking a cue from here, nobody is less worthy just because he/she doesn't get chosen for a certain qualifier (again - job, status, relationship etc.) set forth by the society. Or nobody is more worthy just because he/she gets chosen or picked for something or by someone. It's all a petty state of mind. I could not be picked but still feel worthy of who I am or I could be picked and accept that as an opportunity to explore what lies ahead - this has nothing to do with who I am. That doesn't define who I am.

That my friend, is all about self-worth. And this is the basis on which we have so much divide, comparison, competition and jealousy brewing in the world. It all boils down to how we feel about ourselves - in our own eyes! Nobody can make you feel good or bad unless you choose to allow them to. And that is what lies in our control.

You could be anyone, anywhere, doing anything today - let me remind you, that isn't a measure of who you are.

You are nothing but a beautiful chaos, enjoy your way through life, exploring the journey that unfolds without judging yourself, or putting yourself above or beneath a pedestal. Because, no matter what - You are worthy! Period!

There's so much to life than proving a needless point to someone who may or may not be there tomorrow! Life is more fleeting than we can imagine - it's the attachment that spoils the game (That's for another day)!

The pandemic has taught us better! Think about it! :)

Have We Figured It!?

2019-12-10T14:00:00.002+05:30

I just happened to read something which said "Nobody has it figured it all".

What an amazing statement to let us know how much more we still have to figure it all out and how much more unhealthy we are, in all of the dimensions - by holding onto thoughts/life which makes us believe we are sorted.

In reality, we cannot be sorted until we dissipate into the unknown after having "known" a lot of things, and after having experienced a plethora of events through this journey of life.

I say this with much confidence today, because for someone who finds comfort in the regular and routine, having a year with varied tumultuous experiences which allowed me see the unlit corners of my life, has led me to believe that there isn't a threshold for anything - no matter how well it sits within the spectrum of good and bad. There is always something that is unknown, unexplored and ignorant to the mind and soul. What is important is to remain open, receptive and to have a constant hunger to learn more. There isn't anything that stops in this whole universe. It is we who believe it does and turn ourselves away from it. I do agree that we cannot accommodate everything to be part of our lives, but the experience that enriches our journey is what we need to hold onto. Everything does happen for a reason and when it does - let if flow. And that is the most easiest way to learn and toughest at the same time. It's a paradox! Finding our way through this is what brings peace to our minds despite the paradox - and that is the experience - learning and evolving!

Today, I cannot be grateful enough to all those wonderful souls that have led me through series of openings to find myself in a new and brighter light. Each one of us will go through this metamorphosis is what I believe. When we were born, we came to the Earth as unblemished souls, however as we grew up we learnt a lot of "conditioned living" as per our environment and recognized ourselves with those belongings and created an "identity". Most of us are still living the comfortable life. But not all of us, who have the courage to question the status quo and try to break the shackles of what is assumed to be the norm and accepted way of living. That said, there is no need to become a revolutionary at large! All we need to do is turn inwards and look at our own selves. That itself mirrors how ugly or beautiful we have grown up to become. It is okay to be what we are. The real courage comes in identifying and moving away from what doesn't fit any longer and to become better versions of ourselves.

It's funny how this simple way of living has been twisted across centuries and bound around cultural and religious beliefs. And a lot of people are living an unconscious life! I hope they awaken to see what they are doing to the world, even through their simple daily acts. Human populations have been disastrous since time immemorial to nature and we haven't made much progress despite advancement in science and technology. I guess we have been more devastating with time. And this is not going to stop, that is the pity! We have so much garbage in our lives and minds - again thanks to rapid technological progression! We have been constantly choosing convenience over greater good in all aspects that we have been living through. And there is nobody else to be blamed but ourselves, for all that we are doing. It's also convenient to place a blame on others! That's how we have been "progressing" as a country, economy, community and social beings.

Instead of solving the world problems by bringing in more complex solutions, why not just look at ourselves first! What am I doing, where am I headed, and is this what I was born to achieve are enough to get started or to get going if the initial plunge has already been taken.

We are not going to live forever, but for whatever time we are around, it should be life worth lived amongst the company of the ones we have been destined to be with. I say this, because we cannot touch all lives (human and other forms) despite whatever materialistic, spiritual, or physical strength we might have or gather as we toil along. As human beings we just cannot! :)
Trust the energy, trust the process and trust the journey! It is going to be rough once you are receptive. There is something so mystic beyond what the human mind can actually comprehend! And that is what is going to led us through! All we need to do is surrender to that wholesome energy of greater good for the sake of humanity and nature!

And each one of us have taken form to get somewhere - figuring that out is the only purpose of life. Because, at the end of it we will know that the purpose was fulfilled through all the experiences and learning to reach the higher self within. And that is the only purpose!

Let life lead you to where you are supposed to be! More power to all of you! May the force be with you!

Much love!

We Have Arrived!

2019-07-08T21:24:00.001+05:30

We have all come a long way, with our experiences, learnings, realisations and adventures. And during all this, we have shed a skin and grown a new one. The morphosis of life!

As kids, all of us imagined that we would become something. That something is so imaginative that it put us in a state of pleasure, everytime we thought about it. I am sure most of us, if not all, grew up with dreams of a wonderful future in which each one did what WE wanted and not what our parents or elders wanted us to do. That was the only objective - with tiny details here and there! Doing whatever we want to do without any inhibitions and restrictions. LOL. This was all about growing up! Our idea of growing up!

But, in reality, have we all grown up to become THAT person!? I am sure we didn't have so much clarity back then. And even if we did, it all looks like a child's dream now. A happy place with lots of happiness around.
Yet, why did we all get sucked into this life with everything else in greater measure than happiness?

Does that deem happiness relative? If yes, why so?
What makes you happy? Like really happy? Flabbergasted happy? That you become that child again who is confident that he/she will grow old to be more happy than he/she already is! Relatively, when were we more happy?
I like the grin that's following!

So, in chasing this concept of happiness, we seem to have lost a better part of opportunities, moments and wonderful experiences which didn't seem like one when it arrived, indeed! And amidst all of these, we still keep dreaming of an unknown future which could be holding anything for us, not necessarily happiness only. The constant effort to stay happy and hence perfect is consuming us in bits and leaving us in shreds of dissatisfaction, inadequacy and despair. Now, this is not what the child-version of ourselves said to us!

Whom are we fooling, but ourselves, in trying to believe that one day I will arrive, I will be perfect, I will be wholesome and accept everything with utmost happiness!? Not until you realise these are all states of minds which can be achieved anytime, anywhere and in any phase of life.

What seems more important is to not be so full that we do not even have an appetite for what might arrive. Because when it does, it does bring along with it another quantum of learning. Today, we have everything at our disposal and most of the things are under our control, and yet are we still chasing happiness!? What about the child in us? Where did we lose him/her?

As we grew we also grew the most vivid weed called fear. And that fear is what has engulfed us for long and hard that we dread anything unfamiliar and unknown. The child in us was always fearless, who had no bounds whatsoever and the world was our oyster.

Today, we might be enough for each one of us, yet we do find solace in each others company, only because what is shared is what is gained. It's never too late to shed that fear of unattainable strength, of crossing horizons and reaching greater heights. We still can! We are never inadequate. We do not need an external validation in the form of a person, relationship, job, wealth, praise or accolades. Finding solace in anything external, which temporarily elates us, is not the solution, but an addiction.

Nobody is perfect. Nothing is unachievable. No time is a bad time. It's all a state of mind. A little love and a little pampering is what each one of us need from our ownselves!

Because what is not found within is not found anywhere else! Find it, it's there!

P.S.: Be nice to yourself!

The Deepest Emotion Is The Trickiest!

2019-03-03T19:48:00.001+05:30

To love is to not measure.

The deepest abyss of no return is to have loved and lost.
I saw the latter part of the sentence as one of my friends status and what an irony that was for me, coming from a person who had the most perfect life, atleast to most of our eyes. Life chooses to teach us it's lessons in the most wierdest ways.

Living in a society where your success is determined by how soon you got married and had babies, makes me wonder if all these people genuinely knew what they were doing. You don't have to figure everything out to plunge into it, I agree. But, some of your choices can be manipulated by the society to behave in a certain way, just like social media and it's influence. Well, it's true how subconsciously our lives are wired by the constant presence of the routine and order and we take the easy one out.

When I am in my mid-thirties today, I had not even in the wildest of my dreams had dreamt about the phases of life I went through. It has been an emotional rollercoaster, with more troughs than crests and I had to learn to beat it all.

The mind just slipped into a state of melancholy after watching a movie, by one of the best in the art form, from down south.

Set in the backdrop of IAF, he helms a love story, so complex and trepid, that you want to have it, part and whole and still not have it at all. Love stories have embroiled our thoughts and emotions from time immemorial and has been part of my growing up as well. The bitter-sweet emotion that is, I have loved and lost thrice, during different phases of my life, so deep enough, it trembles me that I might not walk the path again. My small victory is to be able to see each of these with much clarity today and be okay with it. By not punishing myself or not having to live with feelings of guilt over "What ifs!", to have had the courage to move on with dignity everytime I was bogged down, to have been brave enough to accept that this too was part of my life and learning.

And life ain't a movie, for the lead roles to hit on a climax at some juncture and undo the whole thing at the end, because it needs to move on and sometimes it's a one way for you to travel.

Being the teenager of the past and having lived through my 20s with dreams in my eyes, I cannot fathom the millennial love which starts with one thing and ends with some other. And to my startling admission, I might have loved the old way, thrice over. Just like the movie from the legend! The pure, deep and unadulterated one to the best of my knowledge.

What has been a common thread amongst all is my writing - first it took wings for self, then for the other and then to a higher pedestal of poetry, the next time around. Lol

And I am okay to not belong to the current era of instant love and wedlock, and continue to wonder about the unknown of what lies ahead!

Because what is meant to be is meant to stay!

The Conflict Of God!

2018-04-27T19:42:00.001+05:30

*Disclaimer* The opinions expressed are my own and has no bearing to anyone in particular except my immediate family and dear ones. If you find anything offensive please refrain from reading and get onto something that interests you. THANK YOU!

Do you remember "The Mahabharath" on DD channel as a kid?

Perhaps, we were all too small during late 80s to even understand what was happening. But, you grew up believing you have watched the Mahabharath. And like life would have it, it was back on TV somewhere during 1994/95, if my memory serves me right. And, this time the excitement to watch it was overwhelming since we were "growing up" and we believed we understood everything and what more, we were taught Hindi at school. So, it HAD to be this time. Although, the philosophy and moral was lost from the tender minds, the gist of the story stayed.

And now, it is back on TV in one of the channels and I try to catch up on it every morning (well, almost). Today, as the opening song started, my mother's attention from the kitchen tuned to what was on TV and she came out kneading the dough and sat down like a kid to watch it while her hands were at work. That's exactly how we used to be back then. Another instance of how your parents are slowly becoming kids as days progress!

Anyway, the whole purpose of bringing this topic to the fore was to rekindle the most sensitive topic of God, religion, mythology and subsidiary beliefs.

We all grew up in the comforts of our home believing 'who we are', learnt the rituals and customs bestowed upon us through generations irrespective of the religion we belong to. But, have you ever wondered how easily we have come to accept all this without even dwelling too much on the purpose of us doing so? Some of us may have, some of us may not have. If you have, then there would be atleast one instance where you questioned who God was, I am sure you have.

I grew up in a locality and a household which held no discrimination to any religion, God or any practises. My brother's dear friend from kindergarten through primary school was not from the religion we belong to. Our immediate neighbour was not the same. My mother's best friend also did not belong to the same one. My dad's colleagues and friends belonged to every other religion. My first class teacher was not from a religion I belong to. And to be candid, I didn't know what religion, caste or creed were for a good number of years in school, like you should probably 'know'. I just knew there were different religions. I didn't know the basis of a religion. Because I believed that each one of us I knew is same since that was the attitude that was imparted to us by our parents, and thought everyone also thinks like me. Alas, that wasn't the case. It took me a good number of growing years (probably a little later than my fellow mates) to really understand what is diversity and why there are different Gods and what this emotion is all about!

I wasn't in a space to find answers because I never had questions in the first place. A question stems when there is confusion, chaos or conflict. I grew up peacefully with my own belief system.

And, then I entered the inevitable zone, where I was being tested for who I am. Yes, the marriage scene in India is pretty ugly when everyone has an opinion of you and suggestion for you. And like all middle class parents even mine wanted the best for their daughter and considered the poojas I was supposed to do and visit the various temples for the benefits. I was on auto-pilot mode for quite a while and like the docile daughter would not question much and accompanied to pay visits to God. During all this, no one including me wanted to know if I really want to be married. LOL.

My conflicts had begun to spring when the "boon" was not upon me, despite running around the mill. I was now being checked for doshas (malefic effect of some planets on me) to nullify them. It didn't take too long to know there were no doshas in the first place let alone take them off the radar. But the damage was done and there I was in a web of thoughts about what all this means to a human being in the first place. Wasn't being a person with good deeds enough to be qualified for good benefits?

The first thing you ever did as a child before starting any event was to pray to God! He was the Supreme Giver of everything you asked for. Or so we were taught passed from generations to generations. And, I am certain that as kids, we have played along to test its authenticity at times. LOL. And then there was the fear not to mess with God!

As my conflicts arose, I stopped praying to God. It didn't make sense. I wanted to understand the basis before I did anything - lighting lamps, going to temples, going around trees, forbidding few items from consumption for few days (as prescribed) stopped making sense to me.
Who invented all these? Who defined all these rules? Who discovered all these as solutions to problems? No matter what kind of a human being you were and what kind of deeds you embodied, there were solutions to your highest desires despite their nature! LOL. I had my last laugh after a while!

My mind was working overtime to understand these conundrums which were upon us for generations. I began to wonder how Gods were geographically contained, based on the religion and its origin. I began questioning my family about all this and of course they didn't have an answer but mused over where I was coming from. There had to be a reason why they are defined by certain geographies and the stories rather mythology has reference to those places only! If God is omnipotent, he had to be all over the world with the same name which would eventually lead to same religion and hence no conflicts in the name of religion. Why was He so diverse?

I read. I read a lot of books to understand the paradox, although I wasn't too inclined to get to the basis of any religion. I still am not. I just wanted to know who God was if there was one. If yes, how did He persist in our lives from time immemorial. Who was HE?

While on this quest, I began to realize that God - the appearance we have given him, the looks, the stories, the fear surrounding HIM, is all a creation of our mind since generations and eons. We seem to have brought upon us few concepts to keep certain things in check - within ourselves, in the family, in the community, in the society, in the country - like boundaries between countries (man-made).

But, I was also perplexed with a lot of other things that are not in our absolute control. So, there was a parallel conquest to understand that as well. And finally, I made peace with myself. I began to realize that there is definitely something so strong that is beyond imagination, beyond comprehension, some kind of a Supreme energy which certainly guides us, something which is inexplicable - like the wonders of Mother Nature - although scientifically proven, it can only be deciphered by working backwards. There is some energy within all of us which makes us want something, work towards achieving it and feel successful or failed based on the outcome. The outcome itself is directly proportional to the intensity of the desire. When there is a burning desire for something, that is when the universe conspires in its most mysterious ways to bring them to reality. And, this is true. And when the actual intent is all skewed with no clarity, no matter which temple, mosque, church or gurudwara you visit, the result is going to be the same. It really matters what your heart wants.

That is all there is to it. I feel pity to the ones who hold these beliefs too strong to their hearts and kill each other in the name of God. I am sure if God is as we have imagined - with emotions and feelings, grudge and desire, this is definitely not what he would want his followers to do.

At times, listening your own gut will do, because God resides in each one of us, just as we learnt as children while growing up! Or you can call it intuition which steers your life! Call it the way you want. It's just an internal energy which needs to be channeled for greater good!

Life is simple, ain't it?

And today, when I visit all of these holy places without too much expectations on the mind, the divinity catches off guard. It is serene in all of the Abode you visit. The energy is the same. It is all soothing. There is no religion to the feeling of calm. It is all a state of mind. And for me to get things rolling and to settle down, I have to feel it from within and somebody else cannot want something for me which I do not want at that point in time. When I want, I will get through it. And my family has definitely made peace with the facts and I am glad to have them as mine. :)

Let peace prevail! Spread love, joy and embrace the differences.
Love to all your hearts! :)

P.S.: For all the people who are so touchy about religion these days, I can only say they are wasting their precious time spreading hatred because all it takes is love to be peaceful and when that is missing, no matter how strong your agenda is, it is bound to fail!

A Disease Called Society! - My blogpost from 2012. Read on if you have time. Thank you!

Time Travelers! Are we?!?

2018-04-13T00:41:00.002+05:30

Time.

Well, what is time?

A quick look at the dictionary says, it is a noun with a definition : "the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another."

What is time according to us?
The ability to lose our minds to activities, either past, present or future, which may or may not be directly proportional to reality - the absolute passage of time.

In other words, anything either an activity or engagement that makes us forget time, is time well spent. And anything that makes us realize the existence of every atom in the body is working against time. Funny ain't it, the way the human mind fools us all - into believing what it wants us to believe.

The last few days, I was so occupied - with my mind dreaming of things I had not dreamt off , thinking of things I didn't know existed, waving a web of thoughts about something which I hadn't foreseen. Nothing had changed. Not in the way I have existed and have been existing, but still it was my mind which didn't seem to fathom where it was. It was wandering like a nomad. And today it is back home. Knocking my consciousness back to reality.
And today with nothing on my mind, I spent the last 40 minutes feeling I have been sitting for hours and there I look at the clock, damn, it wasn't as MUCH as I felt it was.

As I turn another year older in less than a month, there are a lot of people worried for me (and I thank them wholeheartedly for the concern in their hearts for me) that time is running out. I ask, "Where is it running?" If I'm aging, so are you. So is everyone. So is everything. We seem to perceive only those things that has life and associated time to it - no one thinks about microbes. Only because we cannot see them? Aren't they living too, yet we do not judge their existence in relation to time. Then, lets talk about perception, shall we!?

I may just seem like a misfit in a lot of preconceived social activities or arrangements - lets just call it large populace. By the way, I seem misfit to people who do not seem to conform to societal norms as well! ;) So where do I fit in actually? Somewhere where there is measurement of time and hence a race to complete those actions or somewhere where there is a race to complete actions in order to not feel the time? Choose your side wisely!

The society by large is a confused lot which drives you to believe that certain milestones are to be met at a distinct time and space ONLY. If everything were to happen at one given point in time to/with everyone, then there wouldn't be any life on Earth - now that is another larger topic altogether.

Let's stick to time.

Just so that our mind doesn't wrap its arms around "time" we end up engaging it in activities - or rather lifestyles, to fool it. That's it. We are creating make believe events, processes, achievements, milestones only to escape the concept of time. And in the wake of consciousness, once in a while feel accomplished when we look back or think ahead on how we have planned to kill more time - in the name of future plans. That seems to become the purpose of existence.

Had we really known what time is, we wouldn't know what to do with it.

Why measure something that cannot be measured? If it were to be measured, then all of us should be arriving at the same value at any point in "time" - like our answers for experiments in Physics Practical Classes! There cannot be someone who feels weighed down by time, while the other merrily floats in its corridors without even realizing it - just at the same "time". Well, I will leave it your minds to decipher and figure.

As someone once said, time is a creation of the human mind, it certainly is.
And as one of my dear friends puts it, "Every flower blooms on it's own time!" It certainly does!

Adios!

One Soulful Rendition!

2017-09-07T16:43:00.001+05:30

I was listening to a song - Tu Koi Aur Hai (Tamasha) - with a lot of thoughts swarming my head. And the reprise caught my attention, suddenly, breaking my chain of thoughts. It was at that moment, when the melody starting churning something inside that I paid attention. It was the beautiful chorus singing along which makes you feel like a distant voice is singing to you and you alone, often unnoticed. When I listened intently, I realized it is this sound that was actually connecting with me - in the entire composition. This was the soul of the music - with a lot of percussions playing along, though.

The soul!

That which often goes unnoticed amongst the crowd of thoughts, noise of voices and sound of life!

In all our days of living, with so much to do, so much to achieve, so much to attain, we keep running from places to places in a quest to feel accomplished, to have a feeling of having lived in all it's entirety, to look back and say "Yes, I did it!". But, something still feels left behind. Why?
Is it because of the enormity of the universe or the enormity of our desires? Or is it because we are doing what we aren't supposed to do - all for the sake of living in a materialistic world, to earn, to meet ends, to lead a "respectable" life?

How can so many of us have the same "purpose" in our lives - when we dwell deep into each one of our identical professions, which of course earns us big bucks and takes care of our livelihood. Something feels left behind, isn't? Otherwise, why aren't we happy doing what we are doing? Because, this isn't our true calling? Then what could be our true calling, the very reason we have taken form on Earth? Ask yourself.

I read somewhere, that the purpose of one's life is nothing. And, it took me a while to understand this whole concept of nothing. The simple meaning of nothing-ness is enormous. And, on practical terms, this nothing-ness cannot be put to use in the current world we live in. The prejudiced, opinionated, and divided world we live in. Each one will have to put our best foot forward to survive, survive better than each other - otherwise there is someone getting ahead of you and ready to push you down the gorge or better yet, convince you about the mediocrity of life. And, thus the rat race begins, even before we realise, right from childhood. But, in doing all this, there is something from inside not screaming but whispering from some corner, unheard, more often than not. The NOISE of the world is louder than your own inner voice. The soul which tries to engage us in small conversations, every now and then. We don't hear. It's talking. We don't hear - because we are so busy engaged with our vices of life! No matter how much you try to get ahead of anyone or anything, something still feels left behind.

Because we are not doing what we were meant to do. We are doing what others want us to do. In the momentary pleasure of satisfying one's ego, we are indeed satisfying somebody else's bigger ego. By walking on the path that was carved by our respectable elders - parents, mentors, bosses alike, not for the love of life but for the safety and comfort that this path provides in every way. Because this path adheres to certain norms we are supposed to walk in and will either make someone somewhere proud or beneficial. But, what about you? What about your path? Why are we called "individuals" if we are meant to do what everybody else does and conforms to.

What an irony, isn't? This life.

I do not have a certain answer, at this point, in my life. But, I sure know I will not fizzle out doing and abiding by the conventions and rules - if that requires being unconventional or making my own rules - so be it! Atleast, I will have walked my path listening to that tiny voice with no regrets to record and pass on. :)

While the soulful rendition was playing in repeat mode in my ears - my mind, for once, thought about only those voices in blood and flesh - who never gets acknowledged at all.
Like each of our souls and it's little voice!

Life Renewed, Time And Again!

2017-04-30T17:07:00.001+05:30

Sometimes we end up taking such decisions where no one is happy, not even your own self. But we thread. We thread the path, with so much tucked inside - for the fear of society, for the fear of missing out, for the fear of being different and being chided. And gradually so much more changes around you without your notice and life gets on auto-pilot mode with no one stopping down to think what the hell is this all about!

Why? Why do you have to do something which will not keep any involved party happy. Is this the whole idea of being born? To be like somebody else because somebody else will or will not conform with you.

A society is always behind your life with its prejudices, opinions, and judgements - and we run as far away as possible or suppress as deep as we can. Why?

Why do you have to do something and be someone who you are not? Who is going to live forever? Even the nagging aunty and the annoying uncle who are somebody else's parents will also die. These beings who are running around with a measuring scale all their lives do not even realise why they are doing whatever they are up to. That could be primarily because somebody else would have done the same to their younger selves. And the baton is passed on, just the ways and intensity changes.

And this ever churning cycle of "victims of the society" will continue to poison your minds and soul, with their directives!

Because someone somewhere couldn't see everything happy and easy and invented and infused the "shoulds", "musts", "have tos" into their lives to churn out some complication to an already 'complicated' life!

Break free. Break the pattern. Find your self. Do what makes you happy truly. Instead of becoming the older versions of the past victims.

How much fun life will be then!

So when someone asks "What have you done with all your life?" "Property, money, shares, bank balance, husband, kids etc etc"

I should be able to say, with a grin - the number of people I have connected with, the number of lives I have touched, the number of times I have made someone smile, the experiences I have had and shared, the number of times I was okay to cry, be angry, be upset and just be fine with it all. Without the fear of being weighed down by forces that do not matter, with a head held high up and with a never fading smile in the heart!

Isn't life about all this? Isn't this the only purpose? Isn't this what it is all about?

P.S: Did someone say rat race? Are we rats?

Happiness, thy goal!?

2016-11-11T21:53:00.000+05:30

I like to write. I like to write about people I meet, the experiences I have, the thoughts that linger in my mind and I'm truly indebted to the ones who shove me when I stop and read my bit with such interest. A heartfelt gratitude and thank you for being here!

I haven't had any dramatic experiences offlate, that I haven't resorted to penning it down. Or it could also be to do with the fact that my mind isn't clear enough. So many things, so many situations and so many changes have literally bogged me down. Certainly not undergoing a mid-life crisis, but definitely has led me to wonder about this whole journey of life.

I was reading a book the other day and there is a situation where a character dies during childbirth and just before her death i.e., few months before her labour, she proclaims that she is scared that she is too happy and nothing seems wrong. And, this very thought acts as a forebearer of the next set of ordeals. Although, a very small detail in the entire book, this touched me deeply.

I discussed this with a friend and both of us were in agreement that life would definitely be boring without all the challenges we face day in and day out. So much so, that happiness becomes an impasse if all we have is nothing but happiness. Ironically, we strive to achieve happiness all through our lives, be it a situation, a relationship, a job, a journey or just anything for that matter. And, eventually in the quest for happiness we go through troughs and crests. Apparently, we fail to acknowledge that it is those troughs which makes the crests look better. And, in the whole process we are so focused on that eternally invisible happiness that we lose sight of what is.

That which is probably chiselling out the best part of YOU.

Ironic isn't? Our entire life is one. And, we both ended up having a good laugh at all the miseries we discussed at lengths and breadths for most days. May be, just maybe, all those things - people, situations, opportunities - are just around us to bring the best out of us, no matter how frustrating it might seem at that point in time. I have come to believe that these are the only lessons in life that one needs to learn - endurance, perseverance and determination! And all mean the same! ;)

Simple, ain't it? This whole journey called life! The best is not to be blinded by a concept called 'happiness', because it is so boring! And, for all you know this is what destiny is all about - finding and connecting with yourself before you fade out!

Much love!

P.S.: This seems like an extended leaf of a previous post.

Are We Leaving A Legacy Behind?

2016-07-02T20:48:00.000+05:30

The last few days to months has been all about short reads about history - not necessarily events of importance. And during these times of thought, what strikes me prominently is the outstanding persona of each of these people I read/think about. It is to do with times when I wasn't even born.

The chronicles sends a chill down my spine when I attempt to understand the essence of living during those times - of low technology, higher mortality, fighting for and building a new nation and how each emotion was articulated by means deemed appropriate for times like that.

It must be something!

Not pertaining to famous personalities alone. When I hear certain stories of my grandparents and grand uncles, the visuals are of that of lead actors straight out of a movie. The will to wade through situations, the values they instilled in their children, their struggles to survive and those mind-blowing wise words and a life worth lived! Each one stood out of their own shoes as well-defined personalities, which, probably they were not even aware of.

Cut to present day, the difference is just 'remarkable'. The ways of living, the means of earning and a different 'need' to survive!

Atleast generations that escaped the whip of technology at an early age - like ours, do stand at the edge of a difference. And the difference happened a little over a decade ago with the interference of internet in our lives. More precisely - social media and the constant connect.

I am not here to critique social media entirely, but it certainly has the capacity to make life more worse, holistically if not individually, ofcourse. I cannot remember when exactly I surrendered myself to social media, so much so, that today, when I swim back to my thoughts about our ancestors - both direct and distant, it makes me feel so meager. Definitely, not a case of low self-worth. And not a case of singularity either. But, do we even stand our ground without being influenced by one or the other media, these days? I wonder!

So much of our 'time' is wasted knowing about each others' lives whom we hardly care about. You do not interact with more than 5% of your online friends - who eventually are the subset you are closely connected with.

So what is this whole deal about sitting in front of gadgets and media alike and wasting our precious times? The mind is racing so fast with so much to do and the fingers are busy tapping on a screen. Precisely, what I am doing right now. What are we really losing?

Are we losing time slip through our hands like sand? And we know not? Are we in denial since the intelligent mind knows it all?

We are definitely not happy - because too many factors are maligning our ability to be the unique one. And everybody is trying to be everybody else other than themselves. I mention this because why else would you be interested in social media apps? And in this stupid race, we are not only losing ourselves, but also the opportunity to create wonderful memories from our distinct nature, each one of us. Is this the 'legacy' we want to leave behind for our future generations? The joke is on us if all of our grandchildren find us more or less the same with nothing to admire about.

And I hope it's not too late to stay a original. I do not seem to have solution to suggest, if you would like one, but what are we leaving behind is the big question. A replica of each other or confused personalities who will eventually see an end, spolit by choices? Are we subconsciously mocking each other or someone else?

What makes you different? Are you? Ponder over!

The Journey Of Love!

2016-05-24T21:11:00.001+05:30

When I look at the sky,
I think of you.
That I'd show you the sky
So wondrous.

When I feel the breeze,
I think of you.
That I'd sit with you
And say nothing.

When I hear the music
I think of you.
That I'd sing for you
And hum with you.

When I feel the sand
I think of you.
That I'd be holding your hand
And walking the beach.

When I see the rain
I think of you.
That I'd cuddle with you
And wispher in your ears.

When I feel the silence
I think of you.
That I'd shatter it forever
And touch your heart.

And when I sense your absence
I think of you.
That why did you go away
So far, that everything seems lifeless.

- Hamsa

The (un)real times!

2016-01-17T14:12:00.002+05:30

The narrative is something that happened a year ago during one of my trips to Lonavala. We had hired a SUV to drive around and what's an SUV that doesn't give you a high on rugged roads! It was an exhilarating experience given the driver - a fellow friend was loving his time behind the wheels. We were heading towards a fort and we must have driven along the terrain for more than 5-6KM. May be more. We crossed an old man, dressed in a typical Maharashtraian attire, who was walking with a bag mounted on his shoulders. All of us saw, since this was no highway. I am pretty sure all the good hearted passengers had a flurry of thoughts and in that split second, our driver halted. He looked back at us and asked another good hearted fellow to ask if the old man wants a ride. He spoke our mind. And in yet another split second this fellow looked at his wife and me, who were sharing the middle berth in SUV, and we were already making room for the old man. We asked and he obliged and we drove up along to reach our respective destinations.

What my friend noticed when he took the old man's bag before he sat inside the car was, that it was no less than few kgs. It was heavy. We started talking to him in Hindi and he in Marathi. We managed a conversation, somehow. His clothes were dirty but the man was so clean and his goodness was written all over his face. We met an entry booth. The watchman inside cracked, "Take money from this man, he is a pretty rich fellow". Laughter followed. We dropped him off at the foothill from where the small trek was to begin and that is where he resided. Although, there are plenty of tourist vehicles plying, they go their own way, the hard way. That rang loudly in our heads about their undettered attitude to push through life!

The old man was thankful for the journey which was around 2-3K from where we picked him. And the good gestured fellow invited us for some food at his place. We were humbled but not hungry and took leave and went our way.

Cut to present day.

I head out on a lazy Saturday evening, lazy because I was lazy, to pick some stuff at a nearby mall clad in a simple kurta and jeans with a scarf around and a little messy hair. Certainly wasn't dressed to impress.

Scene 1: I enter a high-end store and pick some stuff to try on. Two blazer clad salesgirls are busy sorting out tried and discarded merchandise. One lady greets me and the other nearly frowns and gives me my token placard. Not wanting to be a racist or biased, this frowner was from one of the seven sister states. Just saying. You would realise why I was surprised for that brief moment. Because they are usually warm.

I get on the line for billing. A rich Tamil speaking couple were ahead of me followed by an ultra rich Muslim woman with a crying baby in the pram, who was shoving the pram to console. (Again, I mention ethnicity only because that is what I saw. The thought stops there). I am then followed by a bunch of Hindi speaking pretty girls (at whom any normal guy would give a second look), bantering and the only line of English one of them speaks seemed grammatically wrong! The Tamil couple looked ordinary but the woman was branded from head to toe, with sunglasses adorning her head at 6PM in the evening with shit loads of attitude. Style, may be. They had three girls (which showed they were pretty affordable and well off) along with an elderly woman. Both the mothers check me out once (let me remind you of my outlook. Lol). The baby in the pram starts crying more. The little girl, aged 6-7, of the couple is the only one responding to the baby making cute gestures to grab his attention. The baby stops crying and elderly woman and I exchange a smile. The mother of the baby immediately turns the pram to her side. The little girl is unaware and unfazed with this attitude and continues to entertain the baby. The two people who might have otherwise responded to the baby are standing still and just watching - me and the elderly woman. Thanks to the coldness of the baby's mother.

I head to a couple of other stores and then straight to Central.

Scene 2: This place always has two things in plenty. Merchandise and salespersons. I go to the shoe section and with no qualms in mind, I speak in Kannada. I do not garner much attention and I move along and pick my shoes. I continue to speak in Kannada. The boy has a grin on his face, clearly something else running in his head. I ignore, pick my stuff and move on. Enter ladies section, I speak in Kannada again. Three heavily make-up clad salesgirls look down upon me, very evidently. I ignore. Ask for my stuff. She tells me it's not on discount. I ignore. Ask what's the MRP. I ask for my size. She says it's not available and walks away. The usual manoeuvre of alternative brands was clearly missing. I ignore. I am at the billing desk. The lady scans me quickly and forms an opinion. I don't care. I pay and walk out.

And on my way back, I laughed at everything and headed back home.

On a serious note, I wouldn't even think it's the fault of those poor salespersons because if they were something beyond that they wouldn't have been doing what they are doing. In my honest opinion, the fault lies in the kind of atmosphere we - customers, shop goers, money launderers are brewing. Where no one seems to lose guard and are all part of cut throat competition to look good, make the less privileged feel more inferior, flaunt unnecessary attitude at places like shopping malls, where half the footfalls are just footfalls! I mean, c'mon, what is the whole purpose of all this? To gauge your self worth with money? To demonstrate your buying power? Is this all what you have got? To show the world your monetary richness!?

At the end of it all, I am glad that I went through both these contrasting experiences. The old man threaded his path from the town to his colony up the hill by foot, everyday. It was a simple life. The life of survival and being amongst nature with no expectations of luxury and had accepted the reality and the reality was survival. And with money being the central theme of one's life in cities, there is no room for human values. You are judged every minute by everyone around you. And in order to live up to someone else's expectations, you start making conscious changes in your ways and eventually become someone else and get into an infinite loop.

And then, there was an old man who was poor yet so rich and here are people around us who are rich yet so poor. This is the original gap.

Moral of the story: The world has plenty of fakesters. Identity them. Ignore them. :D

The Joy Of Unthinking!

2015-12-22T00:22:00.002+05:30

There lived a boy, a boy so joyful and happy, in a far away land. He loved everything around him, that he didn't know what he had that made him so happy. He savoured every moment with his family and friends, he didn't know anything but living life, in his surrounding that he was blessed with. And, one day he stopped, stopped to check on his happiness, because he felt he had nothing else to do. He ran errands, but checked everything, carefully, very carefully. He spied on himself, every thought, action and intent. He questioned everything and was so choked in the very surrounding he was in. He travelled far, very far, to be amidst nature, searching for tranquillity, searching for the peace that was now lost, he wandered, wandered every valley, every mountain, he climbed and he swam, he sang and he cried, nothing made sense to him now. He wondered what had happened to him and what had led him to this path of misery. He was in complete state of apathy. He went mad trying to assess the cause, the cause evaded, the answer evaded. What remained of the boy was a confused man, now wondering about his very own existence. "Why did this happen? What did I do to deserve this? Why am I not happy? Why is everyone so happy?"

Would you know the answer?

No one would know but the boy. And the answer is nothing!

We have all been this boy, at least for a brief period or to a great extent, depending on how much we have inclined towards misery. Now, we aren't all Buddha's or the enlightened ones here to know "answers" for everything we do, see, know and experience. Had we been, we wouldn't have been in the place we are at this very moment. What changed for the boy, in that brief juncture of his life, is only his state of consciousness and that state drifted apart so much that he found himself in the abyss, while everything around him was unchanged. Everything was normal. But he was carried away so far. We have all had these impulses or experiences or shifts where life was thrown 180 degrees, all of a sudden. And we let ourselves sail away, aimlessly with no sense of direction. But, what matters the most is no matter how much you reincline, go back and forth, and come a full circle, you will only realise that a 360 degree is same as a 0 degree! The direction of approach doesn't matter eventually, only the position does.

And it's that moment of 180 that would have made us take a step back and look at everything from an alien point of view, from where everything looks weird, gauged, measured and monotonous. Your brain feels chewed and you become so very aware of your surroundings that you can feel a thorn from a distance. This isn't real, you know deep within, that it's just a projected thought. But you deny! You start watching your life on a projector, as it goes by. You are watching and watching. In reality, you are indeed stagnant - for people, events, opportunities and life itself is swirling by. You feel awake, but this is the worst possible slumber.

If this seems even remotely familiar, then wake up, wake up to the wide and bright reality. To life that is so warm, so colourful, so eventful. Be a part of it, be amongst it, be you in it! That's the beauty of living the existence! Stop projecting your thoughts into an useless stream of light. Be the light! You were born to bring glory to your own self. Seek no answers and enjoy the journey! Because, before you fully realise you might be gone and so will the ones you love!

Accept what comes naturally to you and let go what makes you suffer. Life is indeed beautiful. Savour before it withers!

And like Linkin Park puts it, In the end it doesn't even matter!

The Ailing Country!

2015-10-23T09:09:00.002+05:30

This morning, while on my way to a breathtaking lovely morning walk, (oh yes, I have to mention - the Bangalore University Campus is the place to be for walks/jogs) I noticed a buffalo and it's calf standing mid way while it's herd was nowhere in sight. They usually go grazing as a pack everyday on the same stretch. And believe you me, they take the footpath! Nope, I ain't exaggerating. They walk the stretch till they know where to stop by in a line on the foothpath. So much for "civilization"!

Anyway, an hour later, on my way back, I noticed that the calf was sitting, almost curled like it was sleeping. And the mother was not looking fine too, given her baby was down. She was occasionally shoving her to make her/him get up. And I'm not sure for how long had she tried. When it seemed like it wasn't working, she literally started looking at people who were busy brisking away, filling their lungs with fresh air, with drops of sweats flowing down, happy with a sense of satisfaction in their minds. Mind you, it's a pretty long stretch for you to visibly see quite a distance.

But someone needed help there! No one saw! And the poor mother who couldn't speak. How hard it must've been for her.

The point I am driving home is why are we becoming a country full of bystanders? Or rather so selfish, that it's 'me, myself and whatever one's name is!'

Although I did my bit to help the calf, per my capacity and was happy with the response I received where I sought help, a thought lingers.

Where and what are we heading towards?

I would also appeal, for you to think, that I'm not trying to show off but was just being normal. If you felt the other way around, then look what normalcy has become at times like these. Normal seems alien, in the 21st century!

I must also mention that this act was inspired by another good samaritan, who had once nursed an ailing cow which was not his. He was one of those milkman in the vicinity.

As parting lines, with no intent to show off again, and with a sense of apathy all I can say is, It's only when you feel responsible for everything around you, the country will prosper. Passing the buck is what we are doing today. The day we stand up for all injustice, distress and disharmony, then we might see some light. With the way things are heading, we are either marching towards tyranny or catastrophe!

Think about it!

P.S.: If you would like to hear my opinion about the beef controversy, all I would say is it's ecology at the end of the day. Each animal (humans included) gets to choose what it eats. If we all eat grass, we are doomed. We if all eat meat, we are doomed!

A 'state' called India!

2015-05-11T21:05:00.002+05:30

I'm angry, very very angry to say the least. I might be a patriot at heart, my pride etc., however that seems to have no value or need to live in a ruthless society in India.

The society which is judgemental, stereotyped and biased! Are we really a free nation? I don't think so. Trust me! The world sees us as a land of growing economy, on the contrary, it's a land of extremists, a land of corruption, a land of kings and queens (read politicians), a land where people are plenty that they neither grow nor allow you to grow! Application of Darwin's theory of "survival of the fittest"!? Probably yes, India is a minefield for a research guy.

No country is perfect, let me state it, before the optimist in you comes charging at me. But but, this is how we are:

1. The country's identity is politicians, entertainers (that's exactly how I would like to address them. Period!) and industrialists (and IT folks)! So, what happened to the rest?

2. To spearhead the nation, you can be anyone from the above set. You can rein in. So, if one channels his dreams and ambitions that way, one is a very successful and powerful citizen.

3. We were ruled by the British and post independence we are still being "ruled" by our own countrymen. Farmlands are being snatched in the name of development by governments after governments. The government acts like a broker lobbying to get land for large corporations.

What is more satisfying? Growing your own food or buying it? So many farmers lost their land to make way for big cities, land and homes for immigrants, only to become labourers in their own place. When a farmer loses his land, they either become domestic helps, security guards, drivers, helpers, housekeepers or petty earners. So much for "Jai Jawan, jai Kisan"? We are just making it clear that this country is for the rich, money launderers who can buy food than grow. Probably import everything in few decades. Because we will not have any farmer nor any farmland left across the length and breadth.

4. The British left us with a very strong sense of serving. We are a boom of service providers! By the way, we have money, so we import commodities and export our services! Wow..

5. The British also gave us a good sense of development. But we don't like good things. Do we? More than half the population doesn't have a sense of driving here. We drive on foothpaths (oh wait! there's no one sleeping, I can ride my bike over it, isn't?), so that we dash ahead of everyone and zoom our way through the signal. We honk at cows, buffaloes, dogs so that they give way to us. Sorry, no one taught them that roads were ours, only. The country is built for us. We will do whatever we please to do. They are supposed to take the foothpaths, that's for them, not us!

6. More than half of us think that government servants are useless. There are too many whales in the pond, I wouldn't deny that. However, what we fail to understand is that there are sincere and determined individuals as well. The regulations are not strong enough for them to be fearful and some of them take advantage. The reason I say this is, how many of you (mostly corporate folks) sit in office, per policy, if there was no control mechanism at all. I would vouch that 90% will not. How many of you produce fake receipts to evade taxes or how many of you find reasons to claim that one stupid bill as part of "reimbursement". If given a chance, we will reclaim all possible expenses. Won't we? Isn't that corruption as well? Or just imagine you were that government employee for few days. Would you leverage your corporate disciplines without weakening a link? Net net, it's the nature of the society as a whole to make life easier, not by innovation, but short cuts. Innovations are not our game. We are content with the age of Aryabhatta. (Or if we have some Indian-born making news elsewhere in the world, we dig roots and find relevance. Lol.)

7. The much dreaded Indian Media! The quality of journalism is in the drains, esp electronic media. Watching news channels after a hard day's work is enough to further stress you out. Chaos is the word. About time they engage themselves in some deep contemplation after getting kicked out from our neighbouring state. Come regional news channels, they have vowed to take this country back to 500B.C.! All one gets to watch is crime news or emotional or religious dramas, which satisfies all the weak minds. Where is the regulation at all? Freedom of the press, really!? At the cost of social responsibility..

8. Then there are the "bhais" and "ammas" who can just have their way, no matter what they do. And a section of the society rejoices. Need I say more!?

9. We are just heading towards proving, 'the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer'. And that is because, if I can quote one of my friends, "There is no value for life". People get beaten to death on roads. There is no respect towards one another. The rich finds his self-worth around money and so does the poor. And hence, the differential attitudes. Money is all that is, here!

10. We seem to have forgotten that we are not the only beings on Earth. We need space to drive, we chop trees. We beat wild animals to death, if they encroach "our area" and tie them down and click heroic pics! We get angry if an elephant mobs a guy down. Arn't they supposed to get angry as well? Don't they have a need to survive as well?

11. We first shoot a crime or offence in our cameras before we could stop them, for that byte? And then wait for opinions? Exactly what the Nepalese felt.

12. This list seems endless and can just go on and on. And all this is happening around the so called "educated" class. And the same educated class cannot behave like a civilian! (You can spot at least 5 morons, if you sit down for 10 minutes in the cafeteria of any IT company. Graduates, to say the least, what a joke!)

Before all this dooms us into a state of apathy, let's atleast try to make progress in being civil around us. A little thought towards a revolutionary change? A progressive thought and few selfless acts? Might help. Where we might end up, I know not. Going by the current state of affairs, we are just not doing good. Not at all!

And we are a developing country, it seems! Is this?

Stay Safe Girls!?

2015-01-28T23:51:00.006+05:30

I watched a video on Facebook a while ago and that just reminds me of a statement I made a couple of days back while at a vacation in Lonavala. A passing statement! "Why can't we just go on a walk like this all the time at night. And only women?" Time: 11:00 PM. Street: High end deserted. Weather: Just perfect.

What you should not fail to notice is, a simple thing like a walk is a big thing given the hour!

I have never walked the streets during that time without having any sense of fear. I must have, when I was a little kid, under adult supervision, of course. And here I was fearless, clear and calm, in the head and heart. It's not just my voice or thought. It's of all women in this country.

There are instances where I have travelled very late in some "safe" cabs. But not without sitting at the edge of my seat, praying that I reach home safe. And waiting for that moment to get off. I know it's safe, but I cannot guarantee. That's the difference! And probably those were the last chances I took.

Has India come to a point where inspite of revolts and resistance, there is a long way to go for change?

I'm a patriot at heart, hard core. But, offlate, the trust I have had is waivering. I do like to sound like a pessimist here, (and I have become in the past few years!) because that stands true. Because to live in this country, you always need a man who is protective of you. Else you choose to be protective of your own self. And I do the latter, so that I do not bother my brother and father. And how is that? I am back in the nest during the "safe timezone". Why all the hassle right? Did you just nod? If yes, we need to think what led to a simple thing such as an agreement to the statement.

I grew up in a household of equals. Still growing! But I am not an equal outside my arena. I am a girl and I need to be careful. Watchful. Submissive so as to not attract unnecessary attention. Isn't this what the society has taught us? And thanks to the society that liberal people are the first to become paranoid. Because the contrary has always been true.

Are we talking about the same country where a single boy of 28+ is a hot cake in town and a girl of 28+ is a mere burden!? No no, no round robin here. It's a highway! So, eventually the girl succumbs for the safety and security that comes along and gives in. (With right choices or wrong choices which will be unearthed in few years from then) Why? Has this become the basis of marriage in our country? I always thought it's between two individuals, where both remain individuals and neither of them become entities!

The big paradoxical question is, why should men take care at all? Why does a woman in India need a man to look after her, all the time? The exoskeleton is the same! But still? The answer is simple. Because of "other men". And who are these "other men"? Someone else's father or brother. What an ugly paradox! Looks like the evil category of "other men" has kept women and all the sane men on their toes! But for how long?

I like to hear when my girlfriends tell me that it's so safe, with no prying eyes, in other countries they live in. And I have wished why isn't this country that we live in the same? There isn't a solution to the way the society is churning out to be. For one solution, there are plenty of problems that tag along. But for how long? I don't know. (Sigh!)

I hope and only hope that our daughters are not writing something like this sometime in the future. Until then, stay safe girls! Find your choices! ;-)

And Those Happy And Sad Times!

2015-01-17T13:45:00.000+05:30

Let me ask you a quick question. How many times have you wondered what happens after you hit the epitome of success or rockbottom of failure? We are always elated over that one victory/success and sink deeper with a loss. But, that's never the end. It's all about small victories and losses. And how this shapes us and defines us, isn't?

It's only in the movies that there is a "The End" and what happens next is never shown. Happy or sad. If I have to quote a few sports oriented movies, where the main lead(s) emerges victorious, it just leaves you with a feeling of awe, like you yourselves won, and if you are emotional like me, you'd get carried away with those moments and you feel the victory. Movie ends. And boom! Back to reality!

We are not trained well to handle success or failure, in my opinion. And the one who handles well is the one who becomes a legend/hero in his/her domain. Don't you think? If not, then why each one of us are not heroes? We might want to think we are. That's a very optimistic view of one's journey. But, if we are all heroes, why aren't we celebrated by others? Is it because each one of us are heroes and there is no one left to celebrate? :-D

Anyway, keeping the focus on my central theme, each one of us have our share of success or losses in the sphere we live in. Then, why is life so different from the movies? Because there are plenty of situations beyond that one success or loss that we encounter.

A very long time ago, I read a quote, "Never let success get to your head, and never let failure get to your heart". So, how many of us live by this? Very few. And those very few are the celebrated heroes. That is the only difference between them and the rest of us.

In these three decades of existence or less or more (based on how you scale up), you must have met a plenty of people and you would have seen a variety of mindsets and an array of behaviours. I have. And amongst all these people, how many of them have remained the same? Ideally, it's not possible. But, you would have noticed a change in their behaviour, and attributed to their situation, right? Either they would have been doing good or bad. But their behavioural changes are directly proportional to their conditions of livelihood. In conclusion, the aforementioned quote doesn't work! Application failure!

So, each one of us are not heroes because we change with situations and somewhere we digress from the party. But, how about not letting any of these external materialistic things affect us? I don't know if it's going to be successful. But we can always try! What say? I am no sage, but I have failed to understand how something which will soon fade away, like those exhilarating moments, direct your behaviour. At times, even I am a victim, that I give away to those moments. But, by virtue of my sun sign, for most part I am not.

Ok, so I can do something that you cannot and vice versa or you have achieved something that I might not and vice versa. So what? How does that mean anything to what might happen or might be happening. That's your make. Those are few moments of the present and the future has many more moments to present. As simple as that.

Why these fluctuations?

Ponder over if you have a moment to spare. And the ensuing thoughts probably would be a very successful mantra for happy relationships all around. You might not be emotional, but you have emotions. Because we are the so called forward species. Others (species) also do, but they are not as complicated as us! :-)

You - At Work!

2014-12-12T01:06:00.001+05:30

Life, as I know, is work in progress, always. That's what makes each day interesting. What do you think? You could be happy, sad, uncomfortable or uncertain. But there is something happening, every day in our lives. We are always waiting for that 'something'. And it's the wait that makes life and the journey interesting.

Have you ever, in your sane state of mind, noticed that when you have that 'something', it just begins to feel normal, like this was it. And then there is this feeling of "Ah! Okay, so it was this that I was looking forward to! (Like you already knew it). Usually occurs towards the end of the short journey towards that 'something'. And, then the wait is over. So, what do you think? Was it 'something' that kept the momentum ON or was it the anticipation or the time to get there which made it feel wonderful? Don't ask me. How would I know? Ask yourself. You'd certainly know!

Funny, how we end up with repeated cycles of the same feeling and don't really notice all the time. Although it's happening every single time. There's a desire, and we start moving towards it, a stumble, another path (may be), more eagerness, disappointment, almost there, yet so far and then you have it. Or probably if you are a sage, you don't go through all this!

Nevertheless, it is such a fascinating wheel of one's life. It's the same pattern. Either the situation, people, circumstances or luck (if you would like to place your bet on!) is the differentiating factor. The rest is all the same. And the rest, wholesomely, is you. And it's always you. And what's more fascinating is, the way you adapt to things so new, that you run through the cycle with the same vigor. Unaware!

So, you see someone is deceiving you. And that's you, again. That explains why you crib for sometime (or a long time, indeed! Comes along easy!) or why you are care free only for sometime or why you run through a gamut of unnecessary or necessary emotions. The deception is when you are stuck in a constant state. The rut!

Either every day is a rut, or every day is a pattern with different elements in it.

And I know what you chose there! ;)

Let it go or let it be! Don't hold onto anything for too long, for life is work in progress! You don't want to miss out on the abundance* you have on offer before you hit the grave.

The world is enormous. Decieve yourself to believe so, if you already don't. This one would be worth it! You already knew this, didn't you!? ;-)

*what did you think? I was speaking about non-materialistic abundance. Let me begin with experiences first. You go next..

And That's How It Is!

2014-11-06T01:24:00.002+05:30

Each one of us have grown seeking attention of some kind or form. Without quality attention you wouldn't know what the world thinks of you.

And when the world doesn't look at you, you grab it with it's eyelids. And that's how Facebook and other social networking sites were invented. I wonder what would we have been if these things never existed during our times. More peaceful, less regrets, better expectations?

I'm no sage. But after all these years of "social networking", what have I achieved?

I am in touch with people I wouldn't have been otherwise.
I know everything about their lives. The more they share, the better.
I know when they are happy, and only happy.
I know that few people are doing better than me and few people are not.
I know who is getting attention elsewhere and who is not!

Yes, that's all true. It's just a part of my observation of self and others, that you tend to be more active on social networking sites, because you want to heard for what you are. The way you think, see, hear and ofcourse present your persona. It's not desperation, but it's definitely need. A need which urges each one of us to keep ourselves actively active or passively active on these platforms.

I have definitely had some fun times. But the big question is for how long? For how long am I going to be actively participating in showcasing my life virtually. If happy is the only emotion, then whatever happened to sadness? Everyone seeks happiness and lineates towards it. And so the attention. And so the chosen events. And so the sense of satisfaction with the number of likes or comments.

And decoding this bit, trust me, this is the translation:
- 1st set - People who know everything about you - good, bad and ugly, invariably "like" everything. This comprises one set. Family/best friends!
- 2nd set - People you are connected with during that brief phase, who will eventually fade out. Inconsistent "like".
- 3rd set - People who admire you for who you are inspite of not exchanging a word about each other personally. Loyal "like".
- 4th set - People who keep returning favour in order of seeking one Favourable "like".
And then there is a 5th set where one's ego is larger than the "like". :-D

And there could be many more subsets. No denial.

The point I am driving home is that, there isn't a single person who is exclusively beautiful, exclusively successful, exclusively happy around us. Each one of us are. We need to be told who we are. And to adjust that barometer we seek. While few receive luxuriously and few receive laboriously, there is no such thing as only happiness. Although happiness is the ultimate goal of each hour, day and year.

And it's not wrong to seek attention in its entirety. But it's not very correct to live seeking one. That's not the ultimate goal.

Talk to people, reach out, meet them, spend some quality time. You'll discover a lot better than any social networking site which is a facade of every member who is a part of it!

Don't compare and compete! Each one is unique! :-)

(P.S: And there I slip into a goodnight's sleep. Because this is me! Signing off!)

The Art Of Positivity!

2014-09-09T19:50:00.002+05:30

A short story where thinking positive is not the only way out. Aha! Stay onboard.

When I was a kid, whatever I thought would happen, actually never happened, be it good or bad. Gradually, it became a belief to which I held onto strongly. So, I figured out that to make things happen to me, I would think it would never happen. The converse theory!

And this turned out to be a proven fact of my life then. To brag a little (who doesn't like to!?), I always thought I wouldn't get a first rank in class and on the contrary I mostly ended up with one. So, that was the bait that I had laid out as a little girl.

As I grew up, I gradually moved out of my cacoon to a wide variety of experiences, a vast number of people, wherein I began to wonder if my proven method was wrong since the world was brewing with stories of positivity, the energy, attraction etc etc. So during my conquest to embrace this new way, things that I craved for declined, not entirely but the frequency skewed to a great extent. You can imagine the mix-up. The clear water was puddled!

To me, the biggest question was, why don't I get things the way I want or get what I want? (This was after the renunciation of the converse theory, without much thought). While I was at the juncture of this mind boggling question, I had begun to think like the majority of the world. And this was with my attempt to stay positive, by pushing hard to look at the "sunshine", everytime I did not get what I wanted.

Even before I could wonder, I was frustrated. The act of figuring out is what I call growing up, now. But, it wasn't very clear then. It was all about allowing (as per the rituals of the world), which eventually messed the mind thoroughly. It just left a feeling of confusion. That which I didn't know back then.

And I was still growing up, so messing my mind was work in progress. I wanted to be positive like the world, think, be and act positive. And to me, I realised you become consciously positive when you are actually not. Forced positivity. Otherwise, with a ray of optimism you are always marching forward, sub consciously.

Getting back to the point, where I became consciously positive to match my attitude with the attitide of the world, a lot of things were lost. I never got what I wanted. I had lost my 'midas touch' that I had as a little girl and for a very long time indeed. And the loss of things pushed me deep into frustration and a sense of incapability to get things that I yearned for.

And today, as I feel all grown up, I realise that you are your true self when you are a kid. You have all the positive forces around you that you do not have to invoke positivity consciously. For a reason, that your mind is pure, you are displaying your true nature, you are not corrupted by the worldliness of the world. And this is only because your family and your innocence wards you away from all unruly external forces. The essence of purity exists. Now that you have wings you realise that back to the nest is the best place to be. That true nature of yours that allowed you to get whatever you wanted. (And now I understand why children believe so firmly in angels and fairies and miracles).

So, as the creator, implementor and benefactor of the converse theory, I would always get what I wanted by thinking the opposite. No, I wouldn't term that negativity. I would call that an act of staying grounded, keeping expectations at bay and telling yourself that you will do your best and accept whatever the outcome is. That to me was always "success". That wouldn't be termed negativity again, because in doing so you brush away a million thoughts that might occur about this one thing and you listen to your gut when you need to act. And to listen to that one positive voice of my gut, I'm willing to sacrifice many a "forced positive" thoughts created in the mind and to not let the brain be screwed with too many thoughts. (And a dear friend of mine told me that your brain and mind are not alike. I'm in the process of decoding that bit. Watch out for more!)

Whilst I leave with some thoughts of your own, it is fine to be "not positive" in the mind while your brain does all the positive work. Don't force yourself to be like the world. Be yourself!

And yes, listen to your gut! Let it guide you! And whichever path you choose per your nature, stay true to yourself! Be righteous! :-)

Nature At It's Best!

2014-06-17T12:23:00.001+05:30

Ever found greenery soothing? Soothing your soul, your senses and your being that you know you are a part of it. You are green in yourself. (Not the symbolic green of jealousy :P) You enjoy being amidst as you dig yourself into the deeper curves of nature. Those highs and lows in a journey towards it can leave you lost for a moment or moments together. But you are still there, in it, dwelling where you belong.

A striking snap at reality makes you wonder, where am I? What have I been doing? Why am I doing all this? At that very moment you don't want to go back to reality. That reality that is so clogged by our own acts, inventions and technology. For once (when you realize), nature defies technology. Do you need to be connected in order to be actually connected with your true sense? I don't think so. You would believe me if you have been through Western Ghats during this time of the year, when the clouds are on their best job, realizing their destiny! (:P) It's one of beauty, tranquility and appeasement.

And then when we woke up from this day dream, zapped ourselves out, we fell into another when we were being driven towards comfort as we cut across those levels to another and another. There was an ec(h)o, there was a burst of energy to tell us, "Hey, this sport is not going to end soon." We didn't want to end it either! :P [I know who all are smiling now! :P]

When you have a bunch of hungry freaks on a quest like this, this is certainly fun! Eat, drive, stop, drink (coffee!), eat, drive ... Truly, one of an experience! Like all things in life, this was no less than a drama, there was no dearth for surprises and uncanny situations. We live through this to enjoy it more that which we had not felt before. As my friend says, "Greens are good to the eyes", they are good to the soul as well! Unwind and get there, away from the honks and jams and petty struggles of everyday life. This one effort will be worth all troubles you take to get there. To be one with nature! To feel you are part of it too. You belong there, that feeling of being home! :)

And together we hit the wind, rain and sun! And I am all tanned now! :(

And the best line that defines us (including the new chariot!):
We eat to enjoy, rather than survive! We drive to exceed, rather than travel! We run to find, rather than lose.

P:S: We had the best (large-hearted) drivers who didn't take a penny, parted away only with experience, lucky us!! You might not find them, sorry!! :P :P

"What Next!?"

2014-06-02T12:53:00.002+05:30

Amidst the busy hustle bustle of a Monday morning, a mind wanders. Wanders to find its way to so many things. To find its destination, to skip the journey, to stop running amok.

But what the mind fails to understand, at the very moment, is that there isn't any destination in the real sense. There is no end point, where you can say, "Yes, I have arrived" and be done with it. Taking a step back and assuming we did meet up with our destination, what would happen next? Do we cease to exist? Do we stop looking ahead now that we have arrived? What needs to happen next?

There is always a next, no matter how many times we feel we have reached our destination. There is always a curve which beacons to keep us changing our destinations. Or do we change at all? Or do we merely re-define?

What keeps us striving is the need to get there. Otherwise things would seem boring and we would hit a dead end wondering, "What next?"

So things continue to change, change so much that we keep re-defining our limits, priorities, wants, needs and desires. When we hit that threshold of wanting something so bad or when we have reached the destination of something, the same question starts lingering! It's a pleasing thought or moment to savor what is on hand, that which we desired with all the heart. When you have it staring at you, eye to eye, that's when you wonder, you know you have arrived, you need to go on, with this new thing in tow. This was a stop-gap destination to pick that which we desired to continue onward. To constantly change priorities, wants, needs and desires, again. This is going to gone on till eternity. Don't you think? :)

The answer to "What Next?" is so key to our survival in this ever changing world, else there might come a sweeping wave, so unnoticed, that it might leave us in a state of astonishment, leaving us lost - with that feeling that the world around you is running past you so quickly where you are watching everything like a dumbstruck\awestruck spectator unable to react.

It is that moment, that calling within you, urging you to act, to look up within, to re-define, to move, else we might stagnate at the very "destination" because the world is constantly racing ahead. And it is these numerous transitions, and enormous changes and vivid experiences within one's life is what keeps all of us going towards our little destinations (of few inches, miles, ages or eons), across all spheres of life!

It's okay not to catch up BUT it's not okay to fall behind. Go on! :)

Evolutionary Us!

2014-05-07T12:46:00.001+05:30

Every being wants to survive! Who wouldn't? And in the art of survival, we adapt to situations, customize needs and channel our actions towards it.

If fit can be attributed to the brain, then its certainly an era of survival of the smartest. Gone are the days of physical activities as a means of tending to one's life. And in this constant fight, to be seen and recognized and not remain unnoticed by the world over, we keep racing ahead, sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly towards what we are set. And with the advent of internet, our personalities and characteristics have seen a progression in leaps and bounds. Evolutionary or not, some of us create or seek or get inspired and the changes are here to see!

The struggle to stay ahead is what keeps all of us alive to either keep us ordinary or exceptional. But the same struggle consumes us so much, that we tend to park ourselves by the side (like me, now), to think where is all this going? How much are we compromising with ourselves just to stay the one beyond all or one amongst all?

As things would have it, from an evolutionary perspective, life was as simple as existing (while you live apart from just existing!), adapting to changes & situations and keeping the ball rolling until you wither. But, are things that simple when you look around now? We have gone a step ahead of evolution and have tagged along a lot of hindrances which is resisting evolution. A lot of these hindrances are those uncanny beliefs and thoughts and practices that is actually classifying/clustering us into different beings (All homo sapiens, varieties of it!).

I do hold onto "variety is the spice of life". However, varieties in all quarters of life are totally uncalled for, for one's existence. Do we need things which really doesn't help our existence?

The first one to be blamed is Earth in itself! For undergoing such multi-dimensional catastrophic changes in dividing the land. Then, the most intelligent creatures (We!) took the baton in creating nations, borders, divisions, race, religion, color, class, creed, caste, sub-caste, sub sub-caste (useless C's), politics, parties etc etc. The list is tiresome! Where are we headed? How do we progress with so much on hand? Things which are unsorted and which will never be sorted. In a blink of an eye, everything could be lost like a whiff of air when the same one I blamed earlier is on another conquest. Then, there is neither room for wonder or amazement. The great tenants that we could have been, we are just not!

(For those of you who love to read & can get through history & science, please do read " A Short History Of Nearly Everything".)

Now these are my views. Certainly wouldn't force my thoughts down anyone's throat. But that's a skewed picture beyond the intent. The point I am driving home is the bigger picture! The bigger picture, that which will unfurl all the unnecessary portions of the meal and allows us to consume what is required. Now you choose what is edible and what is inedible. That which is inedible is never digestible and that which is not digestible is not healthy for anyone's existence.

We live, not merely exist and during this onward course, lets defragment ourselves from the portions that yields no result from an outlook of simplicity. There is still more to life, to keep us unique, distinguished and to keep us beyond all or one amongst all! A lot of other beings have adapted as the need demands (only). Wish we did too! Unclutter your needs, unclutter your actions, unclutter your life!! :)

Should we or shouldn't we?

Is This Progressive!?

2014-03-17T14:46:00.000+05:30

As I sit down to drink my coffee at the cafeteria, at a place with comforts, atleast to some extent, a wrinkled face walks by. What happens next is a state of apathy this nation is housing!

Why?

What progress are we talking about? What do these politicians keep barking about, every 5 years? Yes, it appears that way because that's what they do at political rallies - bark at each other! Period.

As I think through to get to a point as to what could have led to such an apathetic state, I am unable to place my finger on one. Was this state existing since eons or is this the progressive phase of the country? Do we have such a major cultural shift that we are allowing it to happen right under our nose? Is it greed, disrespect or what is it? I am thoroughly messed up in the head when I think this through.

I am not going the statistical way. I am going the actual way, that which I see around.

This really pushes me to know what kind of development are we showcasing to the world when a 65+ year old men & women are employed at MNC's to wipe tables. The point is not the kind of work. One should rise above the dignity of labour. The point is why are these wrinkled faces at work to meet ends. Aren't these guys inching towards the sunset phase, where they are supposed to sit back, relax and be taken care of and not tend to?

Is this the actual economic status of the country where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer (owing to inflated rates). I am really curious to know how many such countries across the globe have workforce over 65 yrs doing menial jobs. It's another argument that most of our politicians are over and above their retirement age. There is certainly a gap somewhere that is leading to such an inequality in comparison to other countries. Are our country men & women aged below 50 so poor that they send off their parents to work?

There is absolutely no standardization of work and reforms around blue-collar jobs. The population burst is so enormous in the country that its highly unlikely to see a sudden shift in this pattern. Every individual needs to earn his/her penny to run their lives. If this continues then there is a serious threat on India becoming a super power. So many loopholes, no strong policies, no coverage for oldies, education not running across every vein in the country, no proper usage of technology, no innovations etc etc. At this pace, we shall remain a developing country for a very very long time. As much as I don't want to sound like a pessimist, the facts are only making me look at this from a different perspective.

What do we do?