Even the poorest of the poor and the most wretchedly destitute of the wretchedly destitute feels like a king with a Sachin fix or a Shah Rukh fix. No matter which deep corner of the country, no matter there's no TV, there's nothing, but somehow, somehow, we manage to get hold of a radio, or a cell phone, and we link our disparate fortunes with eleven men, for our very well-being depends on them. It is of little consequence that we have not enough money to feed or clothe ourselves and our families, and we have but a piece of tarpaulin between us and the vagaries of nature, but we have stars in our eyes.
And so, while the government dances on its own axis, and Wikileaks makes buffoons and harlequins of our politicians, what does it matter...our love and our devotion are for those who, remote as they are from us, scatter sparkling fairy dust over us...and if they fail, or flop, our love and devotion continues to defend them and root for them, for they never fail to add a little glitter to our lives.
We are content...
31 March 2011
30 March 2011
Randomly rambling...on the matter of identities...
Everything in Nature has an identity. We, as a part of Nature, therefore, need an identity.
Question is, what kind of identity?
In the quest to earn a livelihood, and create a happy life, people move from one place to another, only to find that they are alien to both the place they left, and the place where they created a home.
In war-torn countries, people have been uprooted from their homes and bunged into refugee camps, where they live with no home/land of their own in sight.
In countries which have been fractured into distinctly separate units, people who lived together in harmony and happiness, suddenly find they have to shift to either side of lines drawn by war-blinded-hate-fed humans.
In frightening situations when for the sake of winning freedom from despots, freedom-fighters have enslaved and tortured men and women beyond all believable and imaginable limits, because all of a sudden the men and women who were neighbors, now look like enemy.
In mad twists of fate, people of the same race have turned on each other because they were followers of this wise man, or that prophet, or this god,or that goddess, all of whom, incidentally, preached brotherhood of man.
So, what identity are we looking at? And yet, we need an identity, if only to feel that we are real...
A leaf that grows on a branch is a leaf, and when it falls it is still a leaf, and the ground where it falls belongs as much to it as to whoever else treads on it...
Question is, what kind of identity?
In the quest to earn a livelihood, and create a happy life, people move from one place to another, only to find that they are alien to both the place they left, and the place where they created a home.
In war-torn countries, people have been uprooted from their homes and bunged into refugee camps, where they live with no home/land of their own in sight.
In countries which have been fractured into distinctly separate units, people who lived together in harmony and happiness, suddenly find they have to shift to either side of lines drawn by war-blinded-hate-fed humans.
In frightening situations when for the sake of winning freedom from despots, freedom-fighters have enslaved and tortured men and women beyond all believable and imaginable limits, because all of a sudden the men and women who were neighbors, now look like enemy.
In mad twists of fate, people of the same race have turned on each other because they were followers of this wise man, or that prophet, or this god,or that goddess, all of whom, incidentally, preached brotherhood of man.
So, what identity are we looking at? And yet, we need an identity, if only to feel that we are real...
A leaf that grows on a branch is a leaf, and when it falls it is still a leaf, and the ground where it falls belongs as much to it as to whoever else treads on it...
Stress-point...
'Being productively engaged'. This, to my mind, is the ONE SINGLE PHRASE that causes stress levels to zoom off into space.
So, what is this 'productive engagement'?
Why does this phrase cause so much dread and distress and fear?
For whose benefit is this 'productive engagement' happening?
Think about it for a moment: We feel we are 'productively engaged' when we are rushing about and filling our days with tasks, both actual and imaginary. We are so afraid of quietness and silence, and 'watching the flowers bloom', that should we find ourselves in such a situation, a voice from within starts flogging us, causing guilt feelings to balloon, making us believe that we are lazy louts, and are not doing.................whatever...
But...
It is in quietness, and solitude and in watching the flowers bloom, that our souls are nurtured...
And...
We can give of ourselves, and make the world a happier and brighter place for someone, somewhere...
So, what is this 'productive engagement'?
Why does this phrase cause so much dread and distress and fear?
For whose benefit is this 'productive engagement' happening?
Think about it for a moment: We feel we are 'productively engaged' when we are rushing about and filling our days with tasks, both actual and imaginary. We are so afraid of quietness and silence, and 'watching the flowers bloom', that should we find ourselves in such a situation, a voice from within starts flogging us, causing guilt feelings to balloon, making us believe that we are lazy louts, and are not doing.................whatever...
But...
It is in quietness, and solitude and in watching the flowers bloom, that our souls are nurtured...
And...
We can give of ourselves, and make the world a happier and brighter place for someone, somewhere...
29 March 2011
Just for you...a favor...
Just for today don't do the things you did yesterday, or planned to do today, or scheduled for today, or felt just had to be done today.
Just for today, do all the things you didn't plan to do, or had not thought about in a long, long while, or had not scheduled, or which you've never done before, or which you secretly thought about doing but had never got down to doing.
Just for today, push out all regular chores and do nothing, absolutely nothing. Only sit around, or walk about, or lounge, or look at the sky, or gaze at a tree, or watch the birds, and let your mind wander - not do the things that need doing, but to dream.
Just for today, silence the clamor in your mind and let quiet flow through every nook and cranny of your being.
Just for today, don't be what anyone, not even your dearest ones, want you to be. See if you can remember who you really are.
Just for today, don't look at the time.
Just for today, do something waaayyyyyyyyyyyy out. Throw all 'shoulds' and 'have to-s' and 'mustn'ts' out...do something which used to give you a lot of happiness, but which has got pushed deeeeeeeeep under all the 'shoulds' and have to-s' and 'mustn'ts'.
.......and you'll see that your day is complete, and you are at peace...
Just for today, do all the things you didn't plan to do, or had not thought about in a long, long while, or had not scheduled, or which you've never done before, or which you secretly thought about doing but had never got down to doing.
Just for today, push out all regular chores and do nothing, absolutely nothing. Only sit around, or walk about, or lounge, or look at the sky, or gaze at a tree, or watch the birds, and let your mind wander - not do the things that need doing, but to dream.
Just for today, silence the clamor in your mind and let quiet flow through every nook and cranny of your being.
Just for today, don't be what anyone, not even your dearest ones, want you to be. See if you can remember who you really are.
Just for today, don't look at the time.
Just for today, do something waaayyyyyyyyyyyy out. Throw all 'shoulds' and 'have to-s' and 'mustn'ts' out...do something which used to give you a lot of happiness, but which has got pushed deeeeeeeeep under all the 'shoulds' and have to-s' and 'mustn'ts'.
.......and you'll see that your day is complete, and you are at peace...
28 March 2011
24 March 2011
The truth?
Reading this from 'The Bridges of Madison County', stabbed my heart, and stabbed it deep:
'In an increasingly callous world, we all exist with our own carapaces of scabbed-over sensibilities'. What profound, piercing and soul-churning words...
Point is, we build our own shells, we scoff at genuine feelings, and so are denied access to, as Robert James Waller says, 'the realm of gentleness', required to understand the beautiful reality of life; a reality that we ourselves have colored with the drabbest and darkest of colors...
'In an increasingly callous world, we all exist with our own carapaces of scabbed-over sensibilities'. What profound, piercing and soul-churning words...
Point is, we build our own shells, we scoff at genuine feelings, and so are denied access to, as Robert James Waller says, 'the realm of gentleness', required to understand the beautiful reality of life; a reality that we ourselves have colored with the drabbest and darkest of colors...
Randomly rambling...
When death strikes close to home, and before a kind of numbness takes over, it helps to go out and anonymously mingle with people. The vibrancy of the people teaming around you affirm and reaffirm life..
...only this can draw out the sting of the grief within...prevent numbness...and coax you to celebrate the life of the person whose presence has been withdrawn...
I cannot accept or believe that death marks an ending...
...only this can draw out the sting of the grief within...prevent numbness...and coax you to celebrate the life of the person whose presence has been withdrawn...
I cannot accept or believe that death marks an ending...
22 March 2011
Randomly thinking...
Perfect gardenia flowers perfume the air,
Even when yellow with age, they proffer only their fragrance...
21 March 2011
Randomly rambling...
It came to my mind while writing a story for Buzzle, that, when we expect people to understand us - what we actually mean when we speak, our actions and even our unspoken thoughts, we are, in actual fact, putting a huge burden on them. For, how can anyone really understand us? The blueprint of our life is like no one else's. How, then, can we have the nerve to expect someone else, to even begin to understand what we are going through, our experiences our reactions, our thoughts, our actions...? How can we put the onus of grasping and comprehending us on anyone, especially those who are nearest and dearest to us? By expecting understanding, we are shifting the burden onto someone else, because we want them to help us take a decision; we want them to tell us what to do. And, as it usually happens, they do not come up with the response we want or anticipate, or, are waiting for. The next thing is that we damn those persons un-understanding... that is so grossly unfair. The person/persons from whom you seek understanding will respond according to the blueprint of their lives. Just as you would if someone came to you for understanding...
The only person who can probably offer understanding is your child, the blueprint of whose life has been drawn from yours...
We, often, labor under the delusion that we are very understanding persons... are we really? can we really understand someone else at all? even if we get into the other person's moccasins, we can, at the most, only feel the pain. We will not even be able to gauge the intensity of that pain. And, our response is bound to be different...
At best we can walk a mile or so with those who need us in times or trouble, withholding our advice, and just holding their hand, offering them the non-judgmental comfort and solace of our love and friendship.
The only person who can probably offer understanding is your child, the blueprint of whose life has been drawn from yours...
We, often, labor under the delusion that we are very understanding persons... are we really? can we really understand someone else at all? even if we get into the other person's moccasins, we can, at the most, only feel the pain. We will not even be able to gauge the intensity of that pain. And, our response is bound to be different...
At best we can walk a mile or so with those who need us in times or trouble, withholding our advice, and just holding their hand, offering them the non-judgmental comfort and solace of our love and friendship.
20 March 2011
Adding to thoughts on springtime...
Keeping in tune with Nature, this could also be a time to shed all our old thoughts, beliefs, views, and ways, in fact, all that does not 'fit'; sweep and clean out our minds, hearts and head; and allow the seeds of new thoughts, beliefs, views, and ways to fall in, germinate and take root...
It could be a time, too, for reviewing relationships, and being done with all those in which more was given than received? or, in which more was invested than shared?
Time to move on?
Time to allow yourself something new?
Could it be that spring cleaning takes on a deeper meaning than just cleaning out our closets?
It could be a time, too, for reviewing relationships, and being done with all those in which more was given than received? or, in which more was invested than shared?
Time to move on?
Time to allow yourself something new?
Could it be that spring cleaning takes on a deeper meaning than just cleaning out our closets?
16 March 2011
It's nesting time again...
A time for starting afresh...
A time to slough off the old skin...
A time for being born...
09 March 2011
International Women's Day...
While I take my place with women all over the world, the question uppermost in my mind is whether we are allowing ourselves to live in dignity...
03 March 2011
Randomly rambling...
There was a time when I truly believed that only dogs and children understood me, because only dogs and children are unconditional and non-judgmental in their love and absolute in their loyalty, thus bringing out the best in you, and drawing out reciprocity in full...a sense of quiet joy and fulfillment for all...
Now, I can safely add:
Only those who knew you when you were innocent of the ways of the world, and loved you then, still love you as strongly, because they see and know only the real you...
And,
Only those relationships are profound, where the other person lets you be...no influencing, only sharing, no demanding, only giving, no insisting that you 'do-what-I-want/understand/like, only appreciating of differences, no requiring of what you should do/say/be, only allowing you to explore yourself, no live-life-my-way, only giving you the space and respect to lead your life your way, no telling, only enriching....
Now, I can safely add:
Only those who knew you when you were innocent of the ways of the world, and loved you then, still love you as strongly, because they see and know only the real you...
And,
Only those relationships are profound, where the other person lets you be...no influencing, only sharing, no demanding, only giving, no insisting that you 'do-what-I-want/understand/like, only appreciating of differences, no requiring of what you should do/say/be, only allowing you to explore yourself, no live-life-my-way, only giving you the space and respect to lead your life your way, no telling, only enriching....
02 March 2011
Re-birth...
When we visited her in December, my DD showed me this sad petunia plant. It was in its death throes, and she wailed that it was a gift, and that she was looking after it so carefully... and yet it was dying...When I poked my finger into the mud, I realized that the poor plant was almost floating in water. My DD thought that she had to water it every day!! So we dried out the soil, and I made her understand that she only needed to spray a little water every other day.
Imagine my surprise when my DD sent me this pix today - there are 5 cheerfully, perkily blooming flowers!!!!! now if that isn't happiness....
Randomly rambling...
About this whole business of growing older...
I do believe, if approached right, or you are lucky, growing older is a free-ing experience. You see the futility of clinging to the past, the present, or even the future. You can, now that the hustle and bustle of life are over, take the time to look inside of yourself and see how far you have deviated or have had to deviate from the real you, your inner core; see how far the distance is between who have become, and who you actually are. Naturally, you are looking at this from the point in time you are in now, from all the experiences that you have gone through, from the reactions of your old classmates whom you have re-discovered, and who knew you as you were those long innocent years ago, and still love you, from your new-found wisdom, spirituality, or belief system, and you realize, with sheer amazement, that you are at that time of life, when you can actually free yourself of limiting, binding, downsizing thoughts.
And I think this is especially true for women, simply because as their life progresses, they end up wearing so many hats and try to become so many people, so that the one single thing every woman values deep down, that is, is her home and family remain intact. However, there is the very real fear that the day you hang up all your hats, you will look at yourself and wonder who you are...Thankfully, the consoling-companion thought is that you are just at the right time of life to free yourself, to get your real self back.
I do believe, if approached right, or you are lucky, growing older is a free-ing experience. You see the futility of clinging to the past, the present, or even the future. You can, now that the hustle and bustle of life are over, take the time to look inside of yourself and see how far you have deviated or have had to deviate from the real you, your inner core; see how far the distance is between who have become, and who you actually are. Naturally, you are looking at this from the point in time you are in now, from all the experiences that you have gone through, from the reactions of your old classmates whom you have re-discovered, and who knew you as you were those long innocent years ago, and still love you, from your new-found wisdom, spirituality, or belief system, and you realize, with sheer amazement, that you are at that time of life, when you can actually free yourself of limiting, binding, downsizing thoughts.
And I think this is especially true for women, simply because as their life progresses, they end up wearing so many hats and try to become so many people, so that the one single thing every woman values deep down, that is, is her home and family remain intact. However, there is the very real fear that the day you hang up all your hats, you will look at yourself and wonder who you are...Thankfully, the consoling-companion thought is that you are just at the right time of life to free yourself, to get your real self back.
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