Little Feet

Recently my cousin Vamsi's daughter Anika celebrated her 1st year birthday. I happened to see the father-daughter pic in FB and couldn't resist a temptation to compose a couplet as a gift to her....hope you all like it as well....

React or Respond – Cockroach Story

Suddenly, a cockroach flew from somewhere and sat on her. I wondered if this was the cockroach’s response to all the glory that was spoken about it!
She started screaming out of fear. With panic stricken face and trembling voice, she started jumping, with both her hands desperately trying to get rid of the cockroach. Her reaction was contagious, as everyone in her group got cranky to what was happening.
The lady finally managed to push the cockroach to another lady in the group. Now, it was the turn of the other lady in the group to continue the drama. The waiter rushed forward to their rescue. In the relay of throwing, the cockroach next fell upon the waiter. The waiter stood firm, composed himself and observed the behaviour of the cockroach on his shirt. When he was confident enough, he grabbed and threw it out with his fingers.Sipping my coffee and watching the amusement, the antenna of my mind picked up a few thoughts and started wondering, was the cockroach responsible for their histrionic behaviour? If so, then why was the waiter not disturbed? He handled it near to perfection, without any chaos.
It is not the cockroach, but the inability of the ladies to handle the disturbance caused by the cockroach that disturbed the ladies.I realized even in my case then, it is not the shouting of my family, friends or my boss that disturbs me, but it’s my inability to handle the disturbances caused by their shouting that disturbs me.
Its not the traffic jams on the road that disturbs me, but my inability to handle the disturbance caused by the traffic jam that disturbs me.

More than the problem, it’s the reaction to the problem that matters.I understand now:-
I should not react in life. I should always respond.
The women reacted, whereas the waiter responded.
Reactions are always instinctive whereas responses are always intellectual.
So React or Respond?

.........and they lived happily ever after.

The woods were lovely dark and deep. Walking slowly beside her, in the damp mud road, was her husband whom she barely knew. He was very relaxed, happily watching a group of kids playing at a distance. Her "MEHANDI" was still dark and smelling fresh, reminding of the excitements and tension 2 days back. "It can’t work this way mom...please stop this", she kept telling her mother till the last moment, who wouldn’t listen but carry on with beautifying her. She had been crying all night and her make-up had to be patched up twice or thrice to hide her awkwardly swollen face.

It was too late now. She had to get married "NOW" to the guy...The guy whom she had seen once and talked thrice. The guy about whom she knew nothing at all but for his name and work. everything happened in a hurry and everything was over before she could breathe again... here was she with this guy, all alone in this hill station... how can anybody send their daughter such a long distance with a stranger???

"Hey look at that....!!!" he shouted in excitement... she shrugged and looked where his finger pointed... Bright colored balloons dotted the sky.
Children were jumping in joy and he seemed to be completely absorbed into it...colors are always exciting...but not now. She was not with her friends, not with her team mates, not even with her parents. This was not a
3 day tour or team building trip. This was her life and she has been forced to start off with this person.

Loneliness and discomfort with this stranger was sickening...She looked at him in wonder... does he even realize that he has married me? Does he understand that he has to love me, protect me, care for me, a new girl, a stranger, all his life?

The marriage morning started like a daylight nightmare for her. The first time in life she felt she should have fallen in love and then married somebody. Some man who she would have felt more comfortable with, someone whom she could call by name and introduce to friends, someone whom she could trust. But marriage morning was obviously not the time to think all these.

Her parents would never have said "no" if she had declared that she was in love. But she was not emotionally attached to anybody she met, especially guys. She was very friendly, playing, teasing, but never had second thought for any man around her. That brought the entire responsibility of looking for a groom on her parents' shoulders. Her parents had a very bad time with this entire process. They started their groom search with unending operation. The concatenation of "Horoscope matching" & "Decent family" & "Good looking" & "Good pay" & "same cast" & so on... that always gave 0 output. Now after all that 8 months hunt, they were not ready to hear her "ifs" and "buts" for this 'good guy'.

She had explained to her father. She does not feel anything for this person. He is nothing more to me than any other software professional. Like list of names she sees in the chat rooms. Distant and usual.. Her father asked her to talk to him and even meet him and discuss their likes and dislikes. That meeting started like the induction programme self introduction and ended like a 3 hour seminar. She was waiting to get away from that place. "So did you talk with him?". "yes". "was he polite and decent". "yes". "Oh he got that special flavoured tri-color icecream...!!!".OK. All her family and relatives discussed... She was given the chance to "understand her life partner" and that they have understood each other "well" and she is ready for the marriage now.

All arrangements geared up and it was 24 days after her first meeting that she was getting married to her man... perfect match as everybody else described. Marriage hall was full with excited people, kids got the chance to play, ladies got the chance to wear the silk saree. The smell of rose and jasmine filled the hall. Different poses for the photographer and artificial smiles for the videos. The moment he had tied the sacred thread was unexplainable vaccum in the head. It was over. She was his wife. Accepted by the society and law. Her proud parents were relaxed. This was their duty they had been planning to fulfill since she was born. All this crowd will fade away, leaving her to explore her new world...

He pulled her hand gently to sit on the stone bench. The bench was wet and the chillness was indeed enjoyable. "So what are you thinking about?"...that was an unexpected ball. Should she reply? Should she be silent? She remembered the two hour presentation she had taken last month. Bold and confident, she kept answering all the queries with a broad smile. Now she remained silent. "Do you know honey... I was not for this marriage too..."
Oh my God... what did i hear??? did HE tell that or did i think aloud? what does he mean? didnt he like me? was he forced into this? He must have noticed the quizzical look on my face...with a gentle smile he continued..."I wanted to look for a girl myself, buy her everything, care for her, argue with her, laugh and cry with her, then get married to her...
Anything otherwise would be a drama. Traditional drama and i was not for it anytime. But my love for my work and also my stress would not give me time and mind to search that girl...When your parents talked to me 2 weeks before our marriage, about your fear of getting married, to a stranger, i could completely understand your mind. I could see myself in you and that was the moment i decided i will marry you. There was no time to prove myself to you, make you trust me, everything happened in a hurry. But there was the entire life before me, to please you, to love you, to make you trust me. This is no less than what i had dreamt, the girl i was waiting for, is you. Now tell me... will you love me???" Tears came down her cheek.
Her parents had done more than their duty. They had found her the perfect guy. Thank you Mom!!! Thank you Dad!!! His question remained unanswered yet both knew the answer...

The Reply

The mini truck stopped in front of the double storied building at the corner of the street. As few laborers proceeded to unload the truck and carry the contents, which were mostly furniture and regular household goods into the house, the man looked at his newly acquired house and gave a silent smile. After nearly three decades he was back in his hometown. Two weeks back he had retired from his job and with a part of the amount he received he had bought this house. He was back in the city where he was born, where he grew up, got married and where he was blessed with a son. Promotion had followed his son's birth and required him to leave the city. Frequent transfers over the years had all the more increased his longing to settle in a place where he thought he belonged to. And today the time had arrived.

 

Days passed and he along with his wife comfortable got adjusted to their new home, neighbours and colony. One striking feature he found about his colony especially the street in front of his house was that it was exceptionally clean. He knew that it was the duty of the municipality   to keep the surroundings of residential areas clean but he did not expect such a response. The sweepers, two of them, a man who was nearly of his age and the second who was in his mid 20's would be there everyday by dawn and carry out their duties. Somehow he felt that he had met the older sweeper before, but couldn’t remember when.

 

It was the Diwali time. The gentleman wanted to give a handsome bakshis to both the sweepers, in fact he was waiting for them to come and ask for it. Diwali came and went away but the men didn't come for what was awaiting them. Finally one fine morning he called the older sweeper, and pulled a 50 Rupee note asking him to share it with his co-worker. The sweeper smiled and said," I still get my wages for what I do and so does my son". He went away for the day. At once it struck to him why the older sweeper had seemed familier. Years ago when his son was born in a city hospital, this sweeper was there with his wife who was a nurse. When the Doctor broke the good news to him, out of happiness he had offered few Rupees each to the sweeper and his spouse as the latter had assisted his wife during the delivery. But both in turn had refused the money with a reply similar to the one he had just got. The reply had pleased him then and had pleased him now too.

 

The reason behind the exceptional cleanliness of the colony was now clear to him. Keeping back the currency note in his pocket, he silently saluted the two walking men.

 

Life goes on and on............

"Karthik, dinner's ready." My mom called out while I was listening to MySacrifice by Creed on Radio City. She came near and in a low voice said, "Itold your dad about it." I felt like a 10,000 volt stupor hit me! "What?" Iwas flabbergasted, "Ma, I wanted to tell him myself. I had it all plannedout. You've just.god! You women kind can never keep secrets, can you? Ok,what did he say?" I asked anxiously. "He said nothing. Probably he wouldn'teven talk to you about it until you start." I knew it was going to be a badnight. Heated arguments, sentimental issues, guilt pricking and unwantedtensions; we had had none of these in our house. But I saw it all comingdown in one night.At the dinner table:It took me sometime to come out of my bedroom, for the dinner table seemedlike a battle ground to me! My hunger died with the very thought of talkingto my dad. But I knew I couldn't escape it and I had to face this some dayor the other. My dad sat next to me. I gulped the air that was stuck in mythroat and with head bent down I had my eyes fixed on my plate. Even afterfive minutes, daddy spoke nothing! So I gathered up all my courage to breakthe ice, "Appa, I wanted to tell it myself. I was actually..." "What's hername?" he cut me without looking at my face. "Simi" I answered, "Simi JacobThomas." There was a smile on his face. "Bring her home tomorrow evening",he said. It made me smile too, for I felt glad to hear something like thatwhile I expected a huge argument to spurt out. None of us spoke anythingelse that night. It turned out to be a total anti-climax of what I hadimagined! I got back to my room after dinner, but couldn't sleep for mostpart of the night since I was dreaming with open eyes about the day that wasto come the next morning!The day did come:The day did come; probably one of the most important days of my life. I toldSimi that my dad wanted to meet her and also that he wasn't fussed up oranything like that and instead smiled about it. Simi didn't know what totell, she too was very happy I thought. A year and a half of our secretrelationship, a secret known to the world but hidden to our parents, wasabout to pay off. So, on that day, we just didn't care about whether we hadcompleted our work or not. We left office at 4.30 in the evening, just tomake sure that we don't get stuck in that dreaded Hosur road traffic. Simileft her car parked in the office itself and we both went in my car. Thatwasn't the first time I had driven with Simi in my Honda City, but somehow,all along the way home, my dreaming about the car being decorated withflowers and a big "Just Married" sign on a heart shaped board, made thatride very special to me!We reached home by quarter past five. Summer time; my dad was sitting on theswing in the lawn, reading a newspaper. He got up as he saw us coming."Namaste Uncle", Simi said folding her hands. My dad smiled back. "Hello,nice to meet you", he greeted her, "come, let's go inside", he took us in.My mom was watching tv in the hall and as we entered she got up from thesofa and switched off the tv. "Get something", my dad said to my mom andwithin minutes a lot of things were ready on the tea table. "Please have it"my dad said and we both started munching. "Aunty, I really like this. Kaduburight? Karthik gives me every time you send it in his lunch box. In fact,I've eaten almost every dish that you cook. You really cook very nicelyaunty." Simi said looking at my mom. My mom just smiled back as a thank youto Simi's compliments.Setting the stage!"Sorry child, I forgot your name." My dad said. Simi was busy eating, butshe'd heard it. "Uh? Uncle? Simi. My name is Simi", she replied. "Aaah! SimiJacob Thomas, right?" My dad asked. "Yes", Simi replied and looked at myface with her eyebrows slightly raised. I did nothing else but show myteeth. There was a wide smile on my dad's face too. "What?" I asked him."Karthik Subramanya Shastry weds Simi Jacob Thomas, somehow sounds veryfunny to me", he said. The smile on my face slowly reduced in width andfinally when I saw the expression on Simi's face change as she took a biteof the kadubu, my smile completely died out. My dad was quick to react. Helooked at Simi and said, "Oh please don't feel offended. I don't mean tohurt you. But child, I'm going to ask you a few questions and also tell yousome things over which you'll need to think calmly." Uh oh! Something'scoming! I told myself. Simi seemed to have heard what I'd just said insilence. She kept the half bitten kadubu back on the plate.The talk!"Simi. Since how long do you know Karthik?" My dad started shooting."About a year and a half" Simi replied."Do you think that's enough to know him?""I guess so. Yes. That's quite enough." Simi nodded her head up and down."Hmm...Tell me one thing, do your parents know about this?""No uncle. I was about to tell them; after we took your permission.""And how did you assume that I will say 'yes'?" My dad was still smiling.But the expression on our faces had taken a U-turn from extreme bliss tototal awe by now! Although both of us knew that we would have to face ourparents' opposition, the way my dad had reacted since the night before hadsprung up some positive thoughts in both of us. So this was a bit of a shockindeed."Simi, Simi. My dear child. I know most of what I tell you will make youfeel like not listening to me. I just want you both to have the best and Iknow very well that it will not be so if you happen to marry." Our faces nowlooked like the sad emoticon that we use in our Office Communicator. But mydad continued :-("Where do your parents stay?""Kozhikode, Kerala.""What does your father do?""He retired as a Branch Manager in SBI last month. Now he serves as anevangelist at a church nearby"."How many siblings do you have?""We are four. I have a brother and two sisters.""You must be the youngest", my dad was bang on!"Yes", Simi replied, a little surprised. I knew, like me, she too wanted toknow how on earth he got that!"I pity your poor dad. He seems to be a pious man. If I, being the father ofthe boy, feel so sad about this whole thing, I can imagine how much painthat man will go through." My dad let out a long sigh. Somehow the things hespoke started to get on my nerves and I thought I had to do some talking."What's wrong with this dad? I don't understand why you people should beworried. Simi and I like each other, we understand each other very well, weboth have good jobs in hand, what else do we need?""I was waiting for you to open your mouth", my dad said in a sarcastic tone."See. You are talking only about you both; that you like each other, thatyou have good jobs. Then, tell me honestly, when you have decided abouteverything, why do you need my permission, or even her parents' permission?You can as well marry and later just inform us, right? If you feel that youwill anyways go ahead no matter what, then I see no point in discussing thisanymore." My dad stood up."No uncle", Simi interrupted, "I want to listen to you." I looked at Simiwith an evident frown on my face. "Please, let us talk about it. I too wantto know what you feel about this." She requested my dad. But I wasn't keenon listening. I just sat with my face turned away, staring at the door.My dad sat down. "Simi, marriage is not a child's play dear. At least in oursociety, it's not centered just around two people. If you had, for at leastonce, thought practically about your relationship, you wouldn't have carriedit so far. You both are in love and that will make you think you can getalong anything that comes your way. Child, married life in itself hasthousand and one problems. You have to make sure that you don't invite moreproblems just by taking a hasty decision."The first thing is, I'm more than a hundred percent sure that your familywill not whole heartedly accept my son as their son-in-law and after thismarriage, believe me, your relationship with your parents and siblings willnever be the same. Even if they come to accept it at a later point of time,they will just be pretending. Some relationships if broken, take a long timeto patch up and if they had been very close, it takes a lifetime. Coming outof home and living a life of your own sounds very good like in movies andstories, but the truth is, you cannot stay away from your parents forever;at least not until they are alive."Simi was listening without blinking her eyes. "After that, come yourindividual dogmas. You know, his mother celebrates at home, almost everyfestival that's listed on the almanac. She will feel uncomfortable to letyou around and get you involved. Even if she and you get along aftersometime, I will guarantee, it will be limited to our house alone. You willnever be invited to any function that will happen in our relatives' homes.At first, you might feel ok about it. But when Karthik will feel the pinchin his heart to know the fact that his wife is not welcomed in hisrelatives' places and because of that he too cannot attend those so very funfilled family gatherings that he was always a part of, he too will start torepent."Then there are your food habits. You are a meat eater and my son is a purevegetarian, well at least I think so. But I don't know if he has startedthat too."Simi was already feeling guilty I guess. "No, he doesn't eat. But I havestopped", she said."See. You have lost a part of yourself. You know, for your love to carry onwith the same fervor forever, you should accept the person you love as he orshe is, without being directly or indirectly forced to change for the sakeof love. In my opinion, that's true love and everything else is just acompromise. You have given up eating meat, good; but every time you comeacross that, you'll always be tempted. It's perfectly ok and it's becauseyou have been brought up in such a culture where it is almost compulsory toeat meat, whereas my son has grown up amongst people who dislike even thesight and smell of it."And then, you both are connected by English, a language that's not themother tongue of either of you. I am not telling it's a bad language, butyou know, it is always the mother tongue that gives you the personal touch,the closer-to-heart feeling while you talk to your, be it husband or anyother person. Don't tell me that love knows no language; it is all theoryand is only good for the books. The day you see a couple in love talking inyour language and having those sweet little verbal fights or name-calling,in words that you can best express only in a language that is closer to yourheart, you will know what you are missing.Simi was static. "Next thing is about your kids. My mother used to tell me aproverb in Kannada - Appa amma eradu daari aadare, makkaLu naaku daarianthe, meaning If the father and mother go in two directions, their childrenwill go in four. I don't know if I've put it correctly in English but I hopeyou've understood it. Forget your kids, you yourself will not be able totell them whether they have to go to the church or the temple, to be avegetarian or a non-vegetarian, to speak Malayalam or Kannada and many suchthings. Finally they end up growing in a big confusion about their language,their God, their culture and everything about themselves. They might evensomeday curse you for landing them in such a situation. You might say thatthey will choose the best of both cultures. But that can happen only afterthey have matured enough to take decisions on their own. But again, I betthey will not be able to do that too since they wouldn't have gained acomplete understanding of either of those."Deep down inside, you feel that you are doing something wrong and that'swhat has kept you from telling your parents or else you would have told iton day one that you like this guy and might as well marry him. But you feelyour parents might be hurt if you do that because you know very well thatthey can never see him as the right guy for you and from my point of viewtoo, he's not. Trust me, even your parents wouldn't deny if you can prove itto them that he is the right person, but in this case, you'll not be able todo that! I just guessed that you must be the youngest because if you hadsomebody younger to you, a sense of guilt which makes you feel that youmight just be setting a bad example to the younger ones, would have stoppedyou from thinking about Karthik as your life partner. But again good and baddepends entirely on your perspective and for youngsters like you, it ismostly influenced by your friends outside rather than the people at home.Looks like he's not gonna stop until she walks out, I thought, still lookingaway. I did not interrupt only because Simi had stopped me from it. Youasked for it Simi. Now you have it. I wasn't anymore interested indisturbing her."I too feel that I've slipped somewhere. If only I had talked about all suchthings to my son a long time back, he would have been more careful inchoosing his life partner. But I never realized that he had grown up so muchand today I feel I'm paying for my mistake. You know, you should make yourchildren do what you feel is right until they turn 16. Then on, till 30, youshould just tell them what they should do and let them do what they feel isright and after 30 there's no use of telling too. So now, I'll only have togive my suggestion and heeding to it or discarding it, is left to you both."I know that a lot of people of your age fear arranged marriages these daysand that fear is because you feel you don't know that person properly. Butthen, why do you think we have the concept of engagement. Get engaged beforeat least six months of marriage and you can get to know each other fairlyduring that period. If you don't think it will work out, you have lostnothing, right? Now if it doesn't work out once, it's never that you willnot find someone better. You'll always do and sometimes you will realize itafter you get married to someone who you then thought was the best! In caseyou love somebody with whom everybody around you and especially your parentswill be comfortable with, engagement is just a formality."Anyways, I can already see from his face that he is not very happy tolisten to me. So let's finish it off. But a sincere request from my side -before you listen to what your heart says, just give a chance to your brainto think about it." My dad finally finished his lecture!Nobody spoke for a moment. Finally Simi broke her silence, "Uncle, now Irealize why it is important to discuss with elders. No doubt, I had neverthought about many things that you told now. Please give me some time. Iwill definitely think about it. Thank you very much for letting me know yourpoint of view", she said and stood up. Oh Mistress of assertiveness skills,you forgot to paraphrase - I wanted to tell loudly but somehow controlledmyself."Sure dear. I know it's not easy. Take your time. And thanks. I'm happy thatat least you said you will think about it. God bless you", my dad blessedher as Simi touched his feet before leaving."Karthik", he looked at me and said, "go drop her till home and come back."Sigh! Don't worry. I'll not run away with her.And then, it was evident..Simi did not speak to me for some days in the office. I had sort ofunderstood what she wanted to convey. My dad had brainwashed her. If only Ihad never let her talk to my dad I thought. But Simi was anytime more maturethan me. She had taken time not only to think about it but also to speakwith her parents; and the story on the other side was no different. Luckily,I did not get an invitation from her father to talk to him! Finally Simitold me, what is usually told by girls, that we would be better off asfriends rather than being a husband and wife. But it was really difficultfor me to look at her as "just a friend". Fortunately I got an onsiteassignment at that time which kept me away from her for almost 10 months. Isomehow managed to get over the gloom during that period. It was only afterthat I realized my dad too was right in a way. True. At least sometimes inlife, you got to listen to your elders.Today, Simi and I are married; to different people of course, and the bestpart is that we both have found very good friends as our life partners.Instead of whining over what could not happen, we have just moved on with somany other beautiful things that actually happened and of course, we aremore than satisfied with whatever we have in our lives. It's like they say,"if it had been any better, it would be a sin" ;-)That's it!

"This too will pass....!!!"

This one from my collection......Here is a story, thought provoking one, which must be remembered by
ALL OF US at all the times.

Once a king called upon all of his wise men and asked them,

" Is there a mantra or suggestion which works in every situation, in
every circumstances, in every place and in every time. Something which
can help me when none of you is available to advise me. Tell me is
there any mantra?"

All wise men got puzzled by King's question. One answer for all
question? Something that works everywhere, in every situation? In
every joy, every sorrow, every defeat and every victory? They thought
and thought. After a lengthy discussion, an old man suggested
something which appeal to all of them. They went to king and gave him
something written on paper. But the condition was that king was not to
see it out of curiosity. Only in extreme danger, when the King finds
himself alone and there seems to be no way, only then he'll have to
see it. The King put the papers under his Diamond ring.

After a few days, the neighbors attack the Kingdom. It was a
collective surprise attack of King's enemies. King and his army fought
bravely but lost the battle. King had to fled on his horse. The
enemies were following him. His horse took him far away in Jungle. He
could hear many troops of horses were following him and the noise was
coming closer and closer. Suddenly the King found himself standing in
the end of the road - that road was not going anywhere. Underneath
there was a rocky valley thousand feet deep. If he jumped into it, he
would be finished...and he could not return because it was a small
road...From back the sound of enemy's horses was approaching fast. King
became restless. There seemed to be no way.

Then suddenly he saw the Diamond in his ring shining in the sun, and
he remembered the message hidden in the ring. He opened the diamond
and read the message. The message was very small but very great.

The message was - " This too will pass."

The King read it . Again read it. Suddenly something strike in his
mind- Yes ! it too will pass. Only a few days ago, I was enjoying my
kingdom. I was the mightiest of all the Kings. Yet today, the Kingdom
and all his pleasure have gone. I am here trying to escape from
enemies. However when those days of luxuries have gone, this day of
danger too will pass. A calm come on his face. He kept standing there.
The place where he was standing was full of natural beauty. He had
never known that such a beautiful place was also a part of his
Kingdom. The revelation of message had a great effect on him. He
relaxed and forget about those following him. After a few minute he
realized that the noise of the horses and the enemy coming was
receding. They moved into some other part of the mountains and were
not on that path.

The King was very brave. He reorganized his army and fought again. He
defeated the enemy and regain his lost empire. When he returned to his
empire after victory, he was received with much fan fare at the door.
The whole capital was rejoicing in the victory. Everyone was in a
festive mood. Flowers were being thrown on King from every house, from
every corner. People were dancing and singing. For a moment King said
to himself," I am one of the bravest and greatest King. It is not easy
to defeat me.: With all the reception and celebration he saw an ego
emerging in him.

Suddenly the Diamond of his ring flashed in the sunlight and reminded
him of the message. He open it and read it again: "This too will pass"

He became silent. His face went through a total change -from the
egoist he moved to a state of utter humbleness.

If this too is going to pass, it is not yours.
The defeat was not yours, the victory is not yours.
You are just a watcher. Everything passes by

We are witness of all this. We are the perceiver. Life come and go.
Happiness come and go. Sorrow come and go.

Now as you have read this story, just sit silently and evaluate your
own life. This too will pass. Think of the moments of joy and victory
in your life. Think of the moment of Sorrow and defeat. Are they
permanent ? They all come and pass away. Life just passes away.
There is nothing permanent in this world. Everything changes except
the law of change. Think over it from your own perspective. You have
seen all the changes. You have survived all setbacks , all defeats and
all sorrows. All have passed away. The problems in the present, they
too will pass away. Because nothing remains forever. Joy and sorrow
are the two faces of the same coin. They both will pass away.

You are just a witness of change. Experience it, understand it. and
enjoy the present moment.

Thus spake Swami Vivekananda.....

"Many times I have been in the jaws of death, starving, footsore, and weary; for days and days I had no food, and often could walk no farther; I would sink down under a tree, and life would seem to be ebbing away. I could not speak, I could scarcely think, but at last the mind reverted to the idea: "I have no fear nor death; never was I born, never did I die; I never hunger or thirst. I am It! I am It! The whole of nature cannot crush me; it is my servant. Assert thy strength, thou Lord of lords and God of gods! Regain thy lost empire! Arise and walk and stop not!" And I would rise up, reinvigorated; and here I am today, living! Thus, whenever darkness comes, assert the reality and everything adverse must vanish. For after all, it is but a dream. Mountain-high though the difficulties appear, terrible and gloomy though all things seem, they are but Maya. Fear not, and it is banished. Crush it, and it vanishes. Stamp upon it, and it dies."

Abode of 'Problems & Solutions'

Someone once quipped..."Every problem is born with a solution, if no solution whatsoever is visible, it simply means that its not a problem at all"
How true....ever wondered from where problems come from? No they do not get imported from some distant heaven or hell but are a part of our own junk of creations. You can't totally avoid or ignore them but for sure you can solve them. Most of the times its the apprehension or the magnified image created in our mind which makes us believe abt the existance of a non existant gargantuan monster called 'PROBLEM'.
Always believe in solving the problem from a third person's point of view.Imagine that an aquaintance drops in and mentions that he is struck. He goes on describing his misfortune while you are curiously waiting to know the reason (read problem) for that. Once he comes up with the problem, u'll find a plethora of solutions in guise of thoughts revolving around your mind just like rings around Saturn. You tend to ponder as to why this person is creating a mountain of a mole hill when the solutions are so clear. The reason is again the same...."No problem can ever be solved by being a part of it."
Imagine as if you are travelling in a car and all of a sudden the car breaks down. Say you have to push the car to a nearby mechanic. Now how are you going to do this? Would you push the car being inside it or would you come out and then try the same. Obviously by coming out of it. Now try corelating this from the perception of a problem. Lets say the car is our problem. and the solution is to push it aside. Would a person ever be successful if he tries to push this car by being inside it??? No matter the amount of force he applies the status quo would still be maintained. And if he comes out and tries the same, it wont be suprising that he would be able to move it with much lesser strain.

Moral of the story : No problem can ever be solved by being a part of it.


Think about it....