Why I didn't follow my father's footsteps and join the Merchant Navy

While growing up I was often asked this question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Not sure myself, I would say a computer engineer, a cricketer or some occupation that held my fantasy at that time. Hearing my answer almost everyone would retort “Wouldn’t you want to be an electrical officer or be in the merchant navy like your father?” And I would simply reply in the negative.

The same was true back then and even today. Electrical or electronics never excited me as they always sent shivers down my spine; thanks to the minor shock treatments that I received while fiddling with live wires and appliances. Regarding a job in the merchant navy, given a choice or not I never would take it. And these are my reasons.

Old Age – Second Childhood

The following is an excerpt of the article I wrote on Parentous.com - the fastest growing parenting community, on my father's illness and that trying period. More importantly it deals with how parents forget the same lessons they once taught their children. You may read the complete article at http://bit.ly/17v6Q44.

Please leave your footprints by commenting.

I was on my way home from a hard and tiring day at office. The new regiment and the workload was killing me. Moreover, the constant worry regarding the deteriorating health of my father was weighing me down. Utterly exhausted to the extent, where I was unable to move a finger, I took a seat in the local train.

Suddenly, my phone rang and as if I had dug into an unknown reserve of energy, I answered the call in a jiffy with only the worst going through my mind. “Nelton, Dada’s serious. They’re shifting him to the hospital again.” My fears had come true, when I received the news from my sister who was seven seas away. I asked her to stay calm and called up home.

Telling another to keep calm is easy, compared to telling yourself

As the number of rings increased, my anxiety and desperation increased. Telling another to keep calm is easy, compared to telling yourself. Since, no one answered my call, I sent a text message and waited patiently thinking about my father and how bad the last month had been.

My thoughts were broken with desperate hues and cries by a lady who saw her elderly father slip, while entering the train at a station. Continue reading.

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Getting Even With Dad

As a child I’ve had terrible issues dealing with my father. My father, an electrical officer in merchant navy was someone who only made his appearance somewhere in the middle of the year (read when my school results were declared). On seeing my results he would have only one comment, “You were bad last time, this year you have become worse”.

It was his way or no way.

I somehow could never get my father. What he wanted and how he wanted it. Things had to be done his way for it to succeed. Even if you didn’t and still succeeded, there was still something to hear. The rule was simple, in order to not hear those words you had to do things his way. It was his way or no way.

Where academic performances didn’t take centre stage, my upbringing always got on his nerves. No fixed time to wake up, to sleep, for meals...you may read the entire article on Parentous.com

True Love …….A different Story (final part)

First part is here

{Hindi Words used
Papa: (Dad)
Beta: (Son/Daughter)
Ma: (Mother) }

After hearing the Anup’s story…

Mamoni: Papa you are such a good person…I love you
Anup: I love you too beta.
Mamoni: Papa…what’s the name of that Lady who came last?
Anup: (Almost in jitters) what will you do with her name?
Mamoni: I feel as if she has some relation with you…tell me the name papa.
Anup: you know I never thought I would ever see her again.
Mamoni: Papa you are diverting from the point…tell me her name…
Anup: ok…Her name is Mamoni.
Mamoni: that means I am named after her?
Anup: it’s late…it’s time to go to sleep…will discuss about it afterwards.

That night Mamoni (though she was just a kid) thought for a while and fell asleep after some time.

Next Day after school
Mamoni was waiting for her father…and saw that same lady approaching her

Lady: how are you little princess?
Mamoni: (At the glimpse of Mamoni excitedly) you know my father named me after you.
Lady: I know it little princess…( tears rolled down her eyes)
Mamoni: Why are you crying?
Lady: I just came to see you…today is the last time I would be seeing you…I am going far away.
Mamoni: did you give that nickname to my father?
Lady: (wiping of her tears) yes…but why are you asking this?
Mamoni: you may think I am only a child…but I am much smarter than what you think…I don’t know what’s wrong between Papa and you…but I know Papa loves you.
Lady: (a bit surprised…)No…your Papa loves only you.
Mamoni: I can prove it…for that you have to promise me you won’t go away.
Lady: (bit shocked by seeing this kid’s intelligence) how will you do it?
Mamoni: leave that to me…this weekend me and Papa are going to the amusement park be there at 10.
Lady: ok…(then she realized Anup might be coming and she hurriedly left Mamoni by giving her a kiss at her cheek)

Shortly After Anup arrived
Anup: (holding his ears to Mamoni)  I am so sorry …had a meeting…and I was late.
Mamoni: (ignoring) that’s ok papa common let’s go home.

That weekend…
Anup was driving Mamoni to the amusement park…suddenly saw lady (Mamoni) waving hands in the middle of the road.
Anup: (bit shockingly with amazement) hi, how can I help you?
Lady: My car broke down…can you please give me a lift?
Mamoni: (Jumping off her seat) yes…Papa would be glad to give you a lift…
Lady: (bade thanks to Anup)… she sat on the back seat.
Mamoni: (to the lady) you know we are going to the Amusement park…will you go there…it would be fun.
Before Anup could utter anything…
Lady: I was going there only…heard they set up an amazing amusement game for all ages…
Mamoni: but why are you alone? Why isn’t anybody there with you? No problem…we will accompany you…what do you say papa?
Anup: nodded his head in approval…

At the amusement park

Mamoni was enjoying her carousel ride while Anup and the Lady sat on the bench nearby…Mamoni was over excited, as she raised her hand to wave towards Anup and the lady she fell…Both Anup and the lady rushed to the carousel…the lady grabbed Mamoni to her arms and asked whether she was alright…
Mamoni laughed merrily…and said “I am alright…you know when there is two people to look after me…nothing can happen to me…this is love isn’t it papa (indicating her fingers to Anup)…love only grows with  sharing.”
Anup was dumbstruck to hear these words of his little Mamoni. Anup clutched Mamoni from lady’s hand
Anup: you know I love you and if anything happens to you I won’t be able to live.
Mamoni: Papa nothing can happen to me when you and Mamoni aunty are there for me.

After a while they saw a board…A special fun game was organized to celebrate woman’s day and only Mother with their children were allowed to enter.
Mamoni: Papa I want to go there…please please papa
Anup: we will go some other time beta…
Mamoni: (In tears)…Papa I want to go now…
Anup: (couldn’t see tears on her daughter’s eye) ok…but
Lady: I will go in as Mamoni’s mother…no problem…
Before Anup could speak anything…
Mamoni held Lady’s hand and off she went…happily.
Anup saw her princess chirping as she went along, weird thoughts entangled Anup… ‘Did he want this very thing occurring to his life a decade ago?’
‘Will Mamoni accept him and his little princess?’
‘Will he finally get what he dreamt once?’

Anup was gulped deep and didn’t realize how swiftly an hour went by; his day dreaming was finally arrested when both Mamoni had a hearty laugh seeing him clueless.

After an eventful day for little Mamoni and more so intriguing thoughtful day for Anup …finally they took their way back home after dropping (Elder) Mamoni to her home.
Slowly but surely meetings of Anup and (Elder) Mamoni frequented but Anup didn’t have the courage as he had denied her once (on the day of his birthday party)

Anup didn’t know whether he should approach (Elder) Mamoni and tell her or should he first approach her daughter first.
One fine evening Anup to his Daughter
Anup: Beta…Do you like Mamoni Aunty?
Mamoni: (though she was young but she could understand…you know children nowadays are much smarter than say 15 years back) why Papa?
Anup: Do you feel there’s something lacking in my love…do you think you need or I should say do we need someone in our life?
Mamoni: (with her little sweet perky voice) you know papa you are the best dad in this world. There’s absolutely nothing where you would be asked to improve but you know dad love never diminishes when shared…Love is something which always grows and when you get an opportunity to live your life with your loved ones, one shouldn’t step back. I love Mamoni Aunty a lot and I would love her to come to my life as my mother. Papa I want you and Mamoni aunty to be together…why don’t you marry?
Anup: (Almost in tears seeing her daughter’s wits) I love you beta…but I am wondering whether she would accept my proposal.
Mamoni: Papa…don’t worry, I know Mamoni aunty loves you a lot…I don’t like her calling aunty…I will call her Ma from now on.
Anup: Beta …!!!
Mamoni: what Papa? (She ran toward her bedroom)

The fairy tale story…continued with Anup Proposing (Elder) Mamoni, she accepted the offer gleefully. Their Wedding day was fixed for 5^th August 2011

4^th August 2011.
(On the way to home after dinner)

Mamoni: Papa finally your dream is coming out to be true
Anup:  you know how much I wished for this day all my life…I think god has finally said Ahem to all my dreams (suddenly Anup’s face turned torrid and nervously said) Beta please wear this jacket…it’s cold.
Mamoni: Papa we are inside a car…and I am not feeling cold…
Anup: (Perspiring…opened his jacket with one hand and handed over to Mamoni) wear it Mamoni…and tighten your seat belt.
Mamoni: (felt something unusual) what’s wrong?
Anup: (breathing heavily) God wanted only one Mamoni in my life?
Mamoni :( in shock) what happened papa?
Anup: (queasily) remember my words beta…Papa loves you.

Before Mamoni could utter any word…The car threaded into a tree with a loud thundering blow and everything went in silent after that.

5^th August 2011.
(At the hospital)

(Elder) Mamoni was standing in front of the (younger) Mamoni’s bed post…the moment she opened her eyes (Elder) Mamoni grabbed her in her arms(with tears in eyes) and asked her what had happened yesterday night.
Mamoni narrated the entire incident and as she asked about Anup… (Elder) Mamoni collapsed into the bed saying…'he knew God wanted only one Mamoni in his Life’…(younger) Mamoni was now in tears and was constantly ranting about her Dad…but only got one response from the other End after much exhaustion.
‘From Now on I am your Mom and Dad both.’

(Elder) Mamoni Adopted (Younger) Mamoni as her Daughter and never married again. (Younger) Mamoni in a quest of having a Mother lost her Dad. This Incident Changed Lives of Both Mamoni.

4^th August 2012.
(An hour after praying for Anup’s soul to rest in peace)

(Elder)Mamoni: Papa used to tell about his life to you on his birthday… from now on I will tell you all those stories on this day…
(Younger) Mamoni: Ma…you and Papa were so perfect for each other but why (in Tears)?
(Elder) Mamoni: We were not there for each other when we should have 8 years ago (wiping off (Younger) Mamoni's tears) you have to be strong beta…and  to make you stronger today I will tell you one of our life incidents…
(Younger) Mamoni: Which incident?
(Elder)Mamoni: A story from the time when Anup and I were away from each other…do you know how we broke off from each other?

And (Elder) Mamoni’s Story Continued…!!!

My Intentions for narrating this story wasn’t only to let the readers know what happened to Anup or Mamoni but to let everybody realize there are some relations which are not bound by blood but then also their attachment are stronger than Any relations in this world…Relations which are bonded by soul. Very few people get the second chance in their life to get back to what they have lost in their lives. Don’t Waste a single moment to go back to one’s soul mate. Remember it’s never too late to start a new beginning.

What was the relation?

Anup’s relation with (Elder) Mamoni: yes he loved her but they never married.
Anup’s Relation with (Younger) Mamoni: Anup’s Adopted Daughter whom he loved more than his Life.
(Elder) Mamoni’s Relation to Anup’s Daughter: (younger) Mamoni was no way connected to (Elder) Mamoni except a name…and (Elder) Mamoni readily accepted (younger) Mamoni as her daughter after Anup’s Demise.
(Younger) Mamoni’s relation to Anup And (Elder) Mamoni: Soul Father And Mother

If we look around we are surrounded by our parents, siblings, offspring and other relatives such as cousins, uncles, Aunts, Nephews, nieces these are only a few relations to speak, there’s a long list if I go with all. These are the relations which are given to us by god… the day we are born, we are surrounded by them…do you think you have done justice with your relations? Do you think your love is comparable to that of the above story?

Do spare a moment to think about your relations; this post is basically my salutation to those who have adopted and are not related with blood but are connected by Soul …!!!

“The Greatest and the Most Precious Relations are sometimes not linked by Blood…these are the relations which are unified by Soul”

Why a woman is special

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him.

"I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."

Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?"

"All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.

The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.

Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?"

God said, "When I made the woman she had to be special.

I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world,

yet gentle enough to give comfort.

I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.

I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.

I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.

I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.

I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.

And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed."

"You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

My Mom, My Love

After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I had started to go out with another woman. It was really my wife's idea. "I know that you love her," she said one day, taking me by surprise. "But I love YOU," I protested.

"I know, but you also love her."The other woman who my wife wanted me to visit was my mother, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. "What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.

"I thought that it would be pleasant to pass some time with you," I responded.

"Just the two of us."

She thought about it for a moment then said "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous.

When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited at the door with her coat on.

She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.

After we sat down, I had to read the menu to her. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entrée, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me.

A nostalgic smile was on her lips. "It was I who used t o have to read the menu when you were small," she said.

"Then it's time for you to relax and let me return the favor," I responded.

During the dinner we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinary - but catching up on recent events of each others lives. We talked so much that we missed the movie.

As we arrived at her house later, she said "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you". I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.

A few days later my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.

Some time later I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined.

An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I was almost sure that I couldn't be there but, nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant to me. I love you."

At that moment I understood the importance of saying, in time: "I LOVE YOU" and giving our loved ones the time that they deserve.

Nothing in life is more important than God and your family and friends.

Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time".

Someone once said "I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I think this is true with your in-laws, grandchildren, sisters, brothers and your friends. Anyone that means something to you-you should spend time with them and let them know how much they mean to you as often as you can

"A smile is nearly always inspired by another smile."

"Never Play With The Feelings Of Others Because You May Win The Game But You Will Surely Lose The Person For Life Time."

Treasure what you have right now

From the beginning, the girl's family objected strongly on her dating this guy, saying that it had got to do with his family background & that the girl would have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him. Due to family pressure, the couple quarreled often. Though the girl loved the guy deeply, she always asked him: "How deep is your love for me?" As the guy was not good with words, it often caused the girl to be very upset. With that & family pressure, the girl often vented her anger on him. As for him, he only endured it in silence. After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated & decided to further his studies overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the girl:

"I'm not very good with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I'll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?" The girl agreed, & with the guy's determination, the family finally gave in & agreed to let them get married. So before he left, they got engaged. The girl went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas, pursuing his studies. They sent their love through emails & phone calls. Though it was hard, but both never thought of giving up.

One day, while the girl was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car that lost control. When she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She realized that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum crying, she thought of some comforting words, but realized that all that could come out of her mouth was just a sigh. She had lost her voice....

The doctor said that the impact on her brain had caused her to lose her voice. Listening to her parents comfort she broke down. During the stay in the hospital it was just her silent cry that accompanied her.

Upon reaching home, everything seemed to be the same except for the specially assigned ring tone of the phone which pierced into her heart everytime it rang. She did not wish to let the guy know & not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she did not wish to wait any longer. With that, she sent the engagement ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions & millions of letters, countless phone calls; but all the girl could do was cry.... The parents decided to move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be happy.

In a new environment, the girl learnt the sign language & started a new life. Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her friend came & told her that he's back. She requested her friend not to let him know what had happened to her. Since then, there wasn't any news of him. A year passed by & her friend came with an envelope, containing an invitation card for the guy's wedding. The girl was shattered. When she opened the letter, she saw her name in it instead. When she was about to ask her friend what's going on, she saw the guy standing in front of her. He used sign language to tell her "I've spent a year to learn sign language. Just to let you know that I've not forgotten our promise. Let me have the chance to be your voice. I Love You." With that, he slipped the ring back into her finger. The girl finally smiled.

Treat every relationship as if it's the last one, then you'll know how to give. Treat every moment as is it's the last day, and then you'll know how to treasure. Treasure what you have right now, or else you will regret one day...

Parable of the Turtle Picnic

A turtle family went on a picnic.. The turtles, being naturally slow about things, took seven years to prepare for their outings.Finally the turtle family left home looking for a suitable place. During the second year of their journey they found it. For about six months they cleaned up the area, unpacked the picnic basket, and completed the arrangements.

Then they discovered the had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home.

Although he was the fastest of the slow-moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat until he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left.

Three years passed-- and the little turtle had not returned. Five years...six years.. then in the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and began to unwrap a sandwich.

At that point the little turtle suddenly popped out from behind a tree shouting, "SEE I knew you wouldn't wait. Now I am not going to go get the salt."

The Moral Is...

Some of us waste our lives waiting for people to live up to our expectations of them. We are so concerned about what others are doing that we don't do anything ourselves.

The suffering 'Common Man'

As a daily habit, ten-year old Pintu was reading the newspaper.

Suddenly he asked his father, "Dad! What does 'Governance System?" mean?

"It's like..." his father said while thinking, "See! I earn and bring home the money, that means I am the 'Money Holder'. Your mother decides where and how to spend that money, hence she is the 'Government'. The maid in our house does all the household chores, so she is the 'Labour Class'. You are a 'Common man' or the 'Public'. Your kid brother is the 'Future' or the 'Next Generation', understood?"

That day Pintu slept with all those thoughts in his mind. In the middle of the night he woke-up because his kid brother was crying as he had wetted the matrices. Pintu went to wake-up his mother. She was fast asleep so Pintu went to the maid's room to wake her up. But there his father was sleeping with her. So he came back with frustration.

Next morning Pintu's father asked him, "Hey Pintu Darling! Did you understand the 'Governance System'?"

Pintu replied, "Yeah Dad, I did. Last night, Money Holder was exploiting Labour Class and our Government was sleeping. Future of our nation was crying for not getting their basic needs fulfilled and in all this Common Man (I) was suffering.

A day in my life, the lesson learnt

And life continues to surprise. On and often we encounter such moments which send chills down the spine. They make you feel something. Something which could not be described, for which the words might fall short. The closest we can say is..a Learning. This is one of the encounters I had on one day.

It was an "unusal" day for me, as it started very early in the morning, 4:30 am. With my standards of waking up in the "morning", it was still mid-night. Reason? We were supposed to be the one among the crowd of thousands thronging to be face-to-face with one of Mumbai's famous deities - "Lalbaugh cha Raja", the almighty Ganesha, supposed to be the "Wish Granter". As it was going to be the last day of Ganesh Utsav, we made a point to visit the Lord, so that some of our "wishes" may be granted. Also, there was a zest to see the grandeur for which the venue is famous for. Well, we started fine, reached well, joined the queue among the thousands, prayed to the Lord, snapped a couple of pictures, and started back home. No, This is not what all I wanted to share to be the "learning". Like everyone reading this, even I was informed that the "Moral of the story" was yet to come.

Me, with my wife were to board a local train back to where my home is. We boarded one of the coaches in the train, and realized later that it was meant for handicapped. But, there I met with my greatest surprise in life. A few seconds after we had boarded and got a seat for ourselves entered four members of a family. A young boy of around ten years, followed by his father, followed by his mother, carrying their youngest daughters in her arms. They seated in front of us, and the train started moving. . It took me few seconds to realize the uniqueness of the family. Both the kids were one of the kinds every parent would like to have. Very charming daughter, and a caring son. Add to it, they both were too beautiful. And now the strangest part... both the parents were ..BLIND !!!!

So, when they boarded the train, it was like the game of train we used to play while we were kids...one holding the shoulder of the other in front, and the front one guiding them like the engine. Father holding son's shoulders, mother that of father while the daughter was still in her arms. Both of us just looked at each other, and without uttering a word, again started looking at them. The son was talking to his father, uttering very slowly into his ears, while the mother was busy taking care of the daughter, also seated on the seat, between the father and the mother. They all started having some chips from a packet, sharing among all as if they are like everyone.

After some minutes, my wife broke the silence, asking me a question for which I did not have any answer, and I am sure nobody would have. How did they up bring their kids? There are so many things that need to be done for that..right from giving the right place to sleep to right food to eat. But probably that is the "survial of the fittest"..being described in our science text books in school days. I was just wondering the skills of the woman while she would be cooking food. She surely would be using some tricks to cook her food. Might be smell or something.

For next 20-25 minutes, both of us were silent, thinking of the family and one very important fact. Did the parents knew what they posses? Do they know they have one of the most beautiful daughters in the words with blue-eyes; and so was the young boy. So confident as if he can take care of the family and can guide them on the right track. How many families would be there in Mumbai itself, just waiting to shower all their love for a kind they long for so long, and are constantly visiting multiple doctors, innumerable gods and goddesses for their wishes to be granted, just waiting for that to happen so that their just aim in life would be fulfilled. And there was sitting one family before us, having those wishes, but they could not comprehend the wealth they posses. We have read in school days... Early to bed , Early to rise..makes man healthy, wealthy and wise. The statement was coming true.

My wife said a statement which could make a mind healthy, if not body... "We keep struggling for petty things... See them... What do they have? Everything , but nothing. We are so engrossed in our petty pains that we are miles apart from gross sufferings people have. Ours is just a smallest particle in front of them". Secondly these incidents, if you posses those eyes and mind to read, give you the biggest wealth in life... Containment in what we have. If you can look, touch, communicate and hear things you have, you have the wordly wealth. Offcourse money is a means to cherish it. But their is no end to accumulation, and in that, we tend to forget to cherish what we already have.

But this is beyond "Being Human". Every human needs two things...which the next person has, and the other which the next person does not have. And that is all driving the world today. We finally came back home, and thought we have got the blessings already. We were made to realize we should thank him for what he has given us. For what we don't have, life is still there. Keep the hopes alive !!!

Finding a balance

A Quote from Bryan Dyson, CEO Coca Cola

"Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends and spirit and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back.

But the other four balls - family, health, friends and spirit - are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for Balance in your life.

How?

Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.

Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find time. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings!

Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

Don't forget, a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved. Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way...

April Two - A Night without End - 2

“Nothing to feel bad about, but not in office; what if Vipin sir had seen it.”

The chatting on SMS had already begun. The message details showed that the message was received at 1:39 A.M., sender Kamakshi. This was a message in reply to mine in which I asked “Hope you didn’t mind me holding your hand”.

Oh, you must be wondering about who’s Vipin Sir. So let me introduce him, though you all had already met him, yes right, Vipin Sir is the same PM who introduced me to Kamakshi, assigned us the same project. I would have just killed him if he had not done so & if he had tried to flirt with her. He was a man in middle forties with ugly moustache & thick glasses. He must be having 3-4 kids at home. How the hell can he even try to flirt with a beauty like Kamakshi. She was just half his age & that bastard is still trying to flirt with her. I know all these men are bastards. They all are dogs & all run for one & the same thing from girls. But I won’t let Vipin to do any such thing. I would just kill him. I planned a conspiracy how he will meet with an accident involving a truck on his way to home & if he survived by any chance then I will throw him in the river. All these thoughts filled my mind on listening Vipin Sir’s name. But, actually Vipin was a nice guy who introduced Kamakshi to me & let us work together, giving me a chance to interact with her & to come close to her. I wanted to thank him but I wouldn’t otherwise his suspicion will turn into indemnity.

“No one will see & I don’t care even if anyone does” I replied to her message.

Her next message came with a blast “Why would you care. It’s me who’s the girl not you & it’s my integrity. You may never understand” She sounded emotional.

“Hey nothing like that honey. I understand that & respect girl’s integrity. I will take care. Don’t worry” I replied. I just hated typing SMS’s on cell phone. One need to press 5 thrice to type the letter “L” or even worse press 7 four time to type letter “S”. Such a tedious task, but I had to do that as I was chatting with a beautiful girl & it’s hard to avoid them, Girls, the most beautiful creature ever created.

“What’s your plan for tomorrow?” I asked about her plan for the weekend.

“Nothing much, you tell”, in reply to her, I invited her for a “Cup of Coffee”

We meet at Barista for the first time outside office & since then it had become a regular schedule to meet not just at weekends but even after office hours, to roam together almost everyday, till mid night sometimes & spending time together for the next 8 months.

It was already 1:40 & I had told Aarti, all about Kamakshi. Celebration for Indian Victory was still on; I heard guys hooting, crackers still bursting & what not.

“So you still love her & you never even told me about her”, Aarti said, “You never told me about another girl in your life.”

I told Aarti everything about her, even about her Birthday night when I was at Kamakshi’s place for the whole night sharing same bed with but I told her proudly that nothing happened between the two of us & that we broke up a week later.

“Yash don’t misunderstand. We should stop it here itself that’s better for both of us. I’m Sorry” That was the last message from Kamakshi, I told her.

Time 02:45

I looked at her. Her face went dull, even redder then ever & suddenly the tears rolled down her cheeks. I was astonished to see her crying; after all it was me who should have cried for losing a beautiful girl & receiving her message today, after four odd months. But No, it’s the Female Community who have got all the rights reserved.

“You’ll leave me too” she whimpered, “I know, All you Guys are dogs, you left her because you got nothing from her. I know all you guys are dogs.”

“Excuse me” I protested “Would you please mind your language” & then I told her how we broke up or I should rather say she broke up because she was a Brahmin girl, a community that I didn’t belong to. She was daughter of a Brahmin Colonel who was a strict disciplined & religious man who saw two of us dating & then he emotionally blackmailed his daughter. He wanted her to marry Nirvan, a Lieutenant in Army, his friend’s son. So she couldn’t go against her dad’s wish & her dad would never agree to our relationship, she informed and so we had to end our relationship; that’s how we broke up. I told her everything. I looked at her, she was still crying. I wiped out tears from her face & then few stupid words sounded from nowhere; I never knew how those stupid words can erupt from mine inner self.

“I can’t promise you perfection,

Because that’s not who I’m,

“I can’t promise you forever,

Because I don’t hold Fate in my hands,

“I can’t promise you Sunshine,

Because there will be Rain at times,

“I can’t promise you Happiness,

Because true Love comes with a lot of Pain,

“I can’t promise to make you Smile everyday,

Because Life knows to make us Cry,

“I can’t promise you that I will stay Strong,

Because sometimes it’s hard to give life a second chance.

I know I am not perfect,

But I Promise,

To give up whom I am,

Promise to hold your hand when Fate challenges us,

Promise to cover your Head when Rain is pouring,

Promise to heal you when in Pain,

Promise to wipe your tears when Life makes you Cry,

Promise to give you unlimited chances till the Time I die."

She cupped my lips instantaneously, breaking her silence “Don’t you ever dare to speak of Dying; I’ll kill you for that.”

“What?”

“I love you, I just Love you, I can’t live with you” She said, her face so near to mine that I could sense her breathe, she went silent & within few moments her Lips collided with mine. I took her in my arms, “I Love You Too” I said kissing her petal-soft pink lips & continued to live those moments. It was a night that India didn’t sleep, neither did we, me & Aarti. India celebrated that whole night & so did we, making love the entire night. It was a “Night without End” that India will never forget, neither will I, indeed!!!

THE END.