~ Reflections ~

It takes a revolution to change things. By revolution , i dont mean bloodshed. By revolution, i mean change in thinking , changes in our attitude ... not just towards things that seem very important, but even banal issues. We seem to have a view on everything big , or atleast we claim that we do ( even if it is directly dependent on what the newsapaper feeds you with).. but for other issues which probably affect us more on a day-to-day basis , we don't even react. Whether it is the illegal construction around our house ,the garbage piling up across the street... or someone misbehaving in the bus... we prefer to turn a blind eye towards such things. What we need to do is not just sit and comment but really put in thought. THINK. And then , even more important , REACT. The reason why so little is done, is generally because so little is attempted. ~ Samuel Smiles

The Road Not Taken ~ Robert Frost TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth; Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same, And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

The air is like a butterfly With frail blue wings. The happy earth looks at the sky And sings. ~ Joyce Kilmer (Joy) With such beautiful weather outside, i couldn't find words more apt to describe my mood. Its been raining since afternoon.. the slight rain, a little more than drizzle.. the patter on the roof.. the intoxicating smell of the "happy" earth.. the wet, green leaves , looking fresh as if they're dancing with joy.. Getting wet in the rain .. feeling the wetness on your skin.. and finally feeling numb because of the cold - numb to everything else around you except the only thing you can feel... the rain .

"Good decisions come from experience , and experience comes from bad decisions ! " We face decisions every moment - some critical, some small and some trivial. But however big or small the decision ,some amount of thought does go in, simply because the decision is ours . And no one likes to be blamed for an incorrect decision. But then, is not taking the decision yourself an easier way out. Or is it a way of passing on the responsibility to someone else... I ve seen lots of people who not only hesitate in deciding , but sometimes just wait for someone else to make it , and then simply follow suit. Every decision left to you should be considered as an opportunity - an opportunity to take responsibilty , to prove your ability , an opportunity to have your way , an opportunity to learn , an opportunity to gain experience !

Everything in our life has a purpose.. The purpose of the seed is to help germinate,and then help in bearing fruit. Even though the seed is finally thrown out while ebing eaten. So what matters is our purpose in life..how does it matter what becomes of us ultimately.. Or does it ?!?

What is the significance of Mother's Day...or Father's Day or Valentine's Day. I am not questioning the importance of these people in our lives… but do we require a day to express our love/gratitude towards them. The concept was okay, but the way these days have now been publicised, i feel they've all lost their meaning and initial purpose.Most of these days were celebrated so that unexpressed feelings could be expressed. But now, by the looks of it, it seems that these "days" seems to have lost their glory. In nowadays world, not wishing your parent on Parents day is a gross mistake...not having a valentine is a sin! I might sound cynical…and probably I am…but I feel these days have been hyped too much , leading to absolute loss of meaning and purpose !

What is success - is it earning a name and status or is it being financially well off. Is success about being rich , or is it about being recognized when you are walking on the streets ! If it is all about the money , then are the Laloo's and the Quattrocchi's of the world successful.... Besides,is there any way of measuring success. A man who doesn't have the money would consider it a success if he's able to feed himself daily. A handicapped person might consider it a success to accomplish "simple" tasks. We basically associate success with accomplishment of tasks we find tough. So each of us has a different view of what/who a success is to them depending on their weaknesses. "Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need." ~ Emily Dickinson

I suddenly felt this urge to express my feeling on the subject after I saw a movie (read Rang De Basanti )… I quite agree with what the director has to say… Its not about criticising the system, but trying to correct the system, by becoming a part of it. If we don’t want to be a part of it , we have no right to criticise it. If we don’t have the courage to stand up to the injustice we face, we have no right to crib about it. And I use WE here because this is not just about me or you ...but all of us… all of us who have a problem identifying with our country, our political system.. Its easier to stand outside and simply comment,but it requires courage to try and do something about it. I don't suggest what the actors in the movie did..thats an impractical solution. But if we stand up for our rights , for what we think is correct..that itself should be a sufficient beginning. We need to stop looking for the easier way out of every situation, and instead think of the correct way. Even ...

We all keep our homes clean.. but we don’t think twice before littering the streets. We behave our best when we are in foreign land , but as soon as we touch home , we get back to "normal". Travelling by the Metro is amazing , not just in terms of the technology used etc but also because you actually come to realise how clean the people of Delhi can be, how well behaved and law abiding they become when they have to. But its like witnessing a metamorphosis, when the same person who didn’t even drop a piece of paper walks out of the station and spits at the exit. What I am unable to grasp each time is that when we have it in us, to keep our environment and surroundings clean, what compels us to dirty places we visit. Why don’t we promise ourselves... for our sake, that we will not litter around. The change we need to make is not in people around us but ourselves.. by thinking of OUR country as HOME.