~ Reflections ~

I love the chirping of birds...  there is something in it gives me a great sense of comfort and calms me ! Humans communicating is a whole different thing :) All of us communicate to convey our basic needs, as that's an instinctive response. But how many of us truly discuss and communicate, especially as we grow up and start our own families.  We set aside time for everything - food, exercise, study/reading. But how many of us spend time actually talking.  I am not one to gossip, but over time I have realized that the one thing I miss the most is Talking! Not about what to eat and where to go, but just talking . If you are wondering what talking implies outside of these subjects, you are clearly in the same boat ! We all have our schedules for work and entertainment, and the day just zooms by without our realizing. Despite living under the same roof, there are often days & weeks when we don't end up talking .  Give it some thought. Maybe you'll have some ideas ! ...

What is music to my ears, sounds like noise to you... Often words fall on your ears and just bounce off without any recollection... Is it lack of interest or lack of memory ?  Or just sheer convenience ! zzzzzz   

For most of us, a bout of anger can happen often - with or without visible reason -  depending on what our mind/subconscious is saying to us. To the recipient of the harsh words, it may feel uncalled for. But irrespective of the cause, the impact is sobering of mood, dulling of enthusiasm, and a feeling of distaste (even if temporary). But what/where does anger stem from? The more you mull over this question, the more answers you'll find. The most common reasons are ofcourse dissatisfaction, discontent, a feeling of disparity (notice how all the common causes start with dis-). But I'd like to dwell on two causes I've noticed, which are often not highlighted, maybe because we choose not to dwell so deep. The first being guilt and the second being a sense of entitlement. Anger stemming from guilt is easy to identify, especially in the corporate world. Lots of folks use the technique of offense is the best defense  when it is actually their work that is lacking. Aggression se...

Faith/Belief, to me, has a very different meaning, which I don't mix with religion. By an average standard, most would call me an atheist, which I strongly disagree with. Faith is sacrosanct, simple. and in one. It doesn't need any beautification. grandiose or marketing/selling to make anyone believe or prove its worth. This understanding hit me even harder when I was recently invited to a Bhagwath Gita paath (पाठ) by Jaya Kishoriji  . This was my first to such an event, and oh. what an eye opener it was. I was later made to understand that this was the norm across venues, which further made me question what we are all moving towards. As against my assumption that such an event would be organized in a temple or a similar simplistic venue, the event was organized in a huge banquet hall which was grander than any of the wedding halls I've been too. The grandeur of the hall, the importance to the food served before and after the daily session (which I believe should have been ...

There is a grace in a withering yellow leaf,  floating in the breeze before it falls on the ground... Alas, all things come to an end,  And this does too... It is on us to decide what we choose. A graceful exit as we wither and float, till we finally land on the ground, lifeless, yet free..

I am very bad it buying gifts.  I mean, I can always buy something for someone, a casual chocolate, an ice cream.. you get the drift... But the minute it comes to getting something in a box for someone, I often freeze... So when I finally thought I should splurge a little on a gift, and finally found a gadget (read: a gift that finally comes in a box)  that would be used, I went ahead and bought it. Ironically, the part I missed was whether it was needed... so in my misguided thrill for finally finding something that would be used, I forgot the other important aspect of a gift ! And so, now, the box is wistfully staring at me, as I stare back... hoping that the beneficiary (not that the person thinks he is benefitting from it)  would finally unbox it ! I know I am making too much of a small thing, but to understand the joy of finally finding something, you need to watch Shall we Dance?    

How do you tell a 9 year old that her father is no more.... As adults, most of us grapple with the thought and logic (if any) behind a dear one leaving us... and I was suddenly left wondering what to say to this 9 year old !!! For the first time in a long time, I was left speechless, not because I didn't want to say anything, but simply because I didn't know what to say.. Does it make sense if I tell you that all of a sudden, I became the child with a rubbery tongue, and the 9 year old had turned into the adult, trying to respond sensibly and sensitively. I was stumped by the questions thrown at me.  I felt so insufficient in my responses, but the child took even that in her stride. The strength of character in facing not just the reality but also fighting each dilemma in her own sweet way left me in deep thought for some time to come. I hope no one has to face what this child did...  PS: I was faced with this recently when a close friend lost her husband, and I was told ...

It's that time of the year when one looks back at the year gone by, trying to delve on the good, the better and the best parts of it... wondering whether it could've packed more !  A consistent realization this time every year is the thought that time just flies by.. swiftly... often without as much as a whisper... which leaves me wishing that I'd done more in the year... This is also the time to think about what one would want to accomplish (not exactly a bucket-list, but even that isn't a bad idea) with the time at hand. So while I resolve to make my life better, by not trying to solve everything for everyone (read interfere in everything) , but instead just being there (at hearing distance :D), I hope I end up making room for other people and things in my life as well. I know the next year will be bigger and better. So cheers to the year that zoomed past, and to the one around the corner. Hoping it would bring good times for everyone. Happy New Year !!!!

After a long long time, I'll be doing something I've really wanted to do...  Did I have to make some alternate settlements... maybe... Will it live up to the hype of it all... can't say... Was it worth a try.. only time will tell... But there is something very clear in my mind... I am glad I'm trying it out.. Because clearly, this is something I've been wanting to do for a long time now...  

The whole world seems to be preparing for the G20 summit. From US to China, they are all harping about what Modi is planning to do, or atleast that's what our media wants us to believe.. Anyway, the best by product of hosting the G20 is the sprucing up of the city that is being done. Suddenly the MCD cleaners are sweeping all the visible scraps of plastic on the road (something they should've always done but never did), all dividers and flyovers are being painted, all signages are up and erect, all street lights are functioning... the list is endless... and it is amazing how perfect we wish to be when we have visitors, yet how shabby the original condition still is..  But the biggest realization is how nice and functional every civic amenity would be, if they all did their job properly !  So the next time you clean up your house when you have visitors, don't feel bad... that's what even countries do :) :D