2010 – The year that was
I can’t recollect much of what happened during the year, may be because personally I did only few things worth remembering. Or I accept even the extra-ordinary things I do as something normal.
In Dec 2009, I got into facebook, at the recommendation of my son Rajan just to read what he writes everyday. Now my own entrees in it - recording of my thoughts and ideas and happenings in life - make good reading for me.
Have been fairly regular with my walking in the terrace and my diet regime and meditation since attending Vipasana programme in April.
March
Created a new website for TCL
Went to Mannarkudi to attend the Garuda sevai utsavam with Santhan and Geetha and visited many temples in Tanjore.
April
Did the 10-day Vipasana meditation programme at Bombay. It was an amazing experience
May
Started a blog to jot down my thoughts and feelings. Surprised to see I have done 48 entrees
June
Designed TCL and UPL’s annual report covers
Went to Kodai with Sridhar, Daya and Srinath
July
Initiated and helped in organizing the family trip to Nanguneri (Thirunelvelli) to perform ennaikappu utsavam
September
Had an excellent 4-week holiday in US with Sridhar, attending an Indian wedding and visiting two of my sons and two of my nieces. It was a memorable journey.
October
Had my hair styled differently that makes me feel young at heart.
I had very good extraordinary experience on my birthday on 10.10.10.
December
Had a very unique, enjoyable one-week holiday with my sister Kala and Sridhar in Singapore
Friday, December 31, 2010
The world is good
The world is good
The world is good. The world is as I imagine it to be.
How can a day’s ordinary experiences make me believe so?
I took the day off on Thursday the 30th of December because I still had two days of CL left before the year closes. When on Dec. 21st, I posted in my facebook – “I have 3 days of CL to be used up before it elapses at the end of the year. I am faced with a dilemma – do I take the leave or let it elapse?” – my son Rajan said, “ hard for me to understand what the dilemma is”. (That needs lot of explanation. I will answer that another time.)
I had two reasons for visiting Madras. My friend Ramraj invited me for dinner on New Year’s Eve. I wanted to visit Sarala, a cousin of mine. I negotiated with Ramraj to have breakfast with him at his house instead of the dinner out on New Year’s Eve. (This is a reflection on the strength of our relationship.)
Within a day I decided on what I wanted to do and how. I went to Madras with my cousin Sampath on his weekly return on Wednesday evening and then for the next day I planned my programme in Madras independently. I wanted to be free to do whatever I wanted and not be tied up to anybody else’s schedule. I also planned to return to Ranipet by bus because I wanted to find out whether ‘I have what it takes’. This adventure is not like doing the ‘base-walk’ in Ayer’s Rock or walking up the ‘Padavedu hill’. But then I am older by 5 more years since then.
I asked for a taxi to pick me up at 7.30 am. He was late to announce his arrival by about 10 minutes, but when I saw him I couldn’t complain. He was a young man in his late 20s or early 30s, small built, wearing a yellow dhothi and a shirt and a thin streak of viboothi on his forhead. He had a lovely smile on his face, that was kind and gentle and a voice that was soft. His name was Saravanan.
I told him where I wanted to go. I was late by about 15 minutes at Ramraj’s place. I had a wonderful time with him and his family. It was so comfortable sitting at the dinning table, talking to all of them (this time including his daughter) and having the special item prepared by his wife Sita for the breakfast. The dish (a simple pan-fried rice cake) and the way Ramraj and his brother Ravi described the process of its preparation and how they ate accoding to the ritual / habit cultivated in the family, is a subject for another blog.
After an hour and half spent with Ramraj’s family I left to visit my cousin Sarala. It is a cousin with whom I haven’t had much interaction over the years and it is just two weeks since she has lost her husband. I have visited her ones in that house may be 5 – 6 years ago for her younger son’s upanayanam. I have met her couple of years ago at her father’s 80th birthday celebration. Last March she was also at the Garudothsavam festival her father (my uncle) performed at Mannargudi. But I have always felt I could relate with her.
Consoling her came naturally to me, as I could empathise with her and her own strength at accepting and handling the difficult situation made it easy too. Her mother and her sister were also there with her. I spent two hours with them talking about various things and even laughing at times. I had my lunch in their house. I felt close to her more than ever before.
By 1 p.m. I left Sarala’s house on my return journey. I asked Saravanan to take me to the bus stop and put me in the bus to Ranipet. He took me to the main ‘Koimbedu’ bus stop, parked the car and came with me inside the bus stop, identified the right bus, made sure with the conductor that it is going to Ranipet, before I boarded the bus. I just took the first available seat, but he suggested a better seat at the front, near the window. I felt so safe, protected and being taken care of. Added to all his great qualities that were visible at the first sight of him, this made him a personification of goodness.
A young girl came and sat next to me. I asked her where she is going and what she does. It was a very interesting conversation. Her name was Kavitha. I introduced my self. It was obvious that this meeting was meant to be part of my trip.
It was a 2 ½ hour journey. It was hard for me to be sitting for that long without shifting much. But I felt relaxed looking out the window at passing landscape, and immersed in my own thoughts and plans – some very remote, some about the immediate environment. The bus music system played songs from Tamil movies of the early 60s I am familiar with.
The last ½ hour was the most difficult but I endured it knowing this too would pass. The bus stopped at ‘Muthukadai’. Before getting off the bus, I thanked the driver for his steady, safe, excellent driving. It is another 2 km. to where I live. The driver suggested I can take a local bus. I could have taken an auto. But I decided to walk as I felt I needed to strech my legs and loosen the stiff joints. It was only 4.30 p.m.
I walked and reached home before 5. I was tired, thirsty, and hungry and felt in need of a hot shower. I turned on the hot water heater in the bathroom, had a drink of water and thanked God for the successful completion of my mission. Then I fixed myself a plate of snacks – an apple, an orange, a slice of Nilgiri’s plum cake, a few pieces of cheese and 6 almonds. I also made a mug of hot Ovaltine from a mix I got from my sister Kala while I was in Singapore. I turned the fan on and sat down to have my snack, with a great sense of satisfaction.
Then I remembered even though I felt Saravanan was so good, and thanked him when I got into the bus, I never told him so. I called him and told him I have arrived safely and appreciated all his good qualities. He said he was worried and that he is happy to know I have reached home safely.
I feel going through all these activities with open mind in a focused manner without any expectations is what enabled me to be aware of what is happening around me and in my mind.
Of course if I had to write everything that happened, every conversation we had, every thought that went through my mind it would definitely run into over 10 pages.
But I need to add that the coffee break Sampath and I had at Coffee Day near Sriperumbuthur on the way in to Madras; just being able to listen to the lively conversation Sarathy, Ramya and Arvind had that evening and laugh with them; the excellent dinner of thin, soft phulka chapatti and very tasty Kovaikkai koottu Suja had prepared for dinner; the unplanned stop to test out poli at a sweet shop I have seen pass by many times - all added to my pleasant experience. I was at peace with myself.
And at the end of it all I felt I do accept the world as it is and the world is good.
The world is good. The world is as I imagine it to be.
How can a day’s ordinary experiences make me believe so?
I took the day off on Thursday the 30th of December because I still had two days of CL left before the year closes. When on Dec. 21st, I posted in my facebook – “I have 3 days of CL to be used up before it elapses at the end of the year. I am faced with a dilemma – do I take the leave or let it elapse?” – my son Rajan said, “ hard for me to understand what the dilemma is”. (That needs lot of explanation. I will answer that another time.)
I had two reasons for visiting Madras. My friend Ramraj invited me for dinner on New Year’s Eve. I wanted to visit Sarala, a cousin of mine. I negotiated with Ramraj to have breakfast with him at his house instead of the dinner out on New Year’s Eve. (This is a reflection on the strength of our relationship.)
Within a day I decided on what I wanted to do and how. I went to Madras with my cousin Sampath on his weekly return on Wednesday evening and then for the next day I planned my programme in Madras independently. I wanted to be free to do whatever I wanted and not be tied up to anybody else’s schedule. I also planned to return to Ranipet by bus because I wanted to find out whether ‘I have what it takes’. This adventure is not like doing the ‘base-walk’ in Ayer’s Rock or walking up the ‘Padavedu hill’. But then I am older by 5 more years since then.
I asked for a taxi to pick me up at 7.30 am. He was late to announce his arrival by about 10 minutes, but when I saw him I couldn’t complain. He was a young man in his late 20s or early 30s, small built, wearing a yellow dhothi and a shirt and a thin streak of viboothi on his forhead. He had a lovely smile on his face, that was kind and gentle and a voice that was soft. His name was Saravanan.
I told him where I wanted to go. I was late by about 15 minutes at Ramraj’s place. I had a wonderful time with him and his family. It was so comfortable sitting at the dinning table, talking to all of them (this time including his daughter) and having the special item prepared by his wife Sita for the breakfast. The dish (a simple pan-fried rice cake) and the way Ramraj and his brother Ravi described the process of its preparation and how they ate accoding to the ritual / habit cultivated in the family, is a subject for another blog.
After an hour and half spent with Ramraj’s family I left to visit my cousin Sarala. It is a cousin with whom I haven’t had much interaction over the years and it is just two weeks since she has lost her husband. I have visited her ones in that house may be 5 – 6 years ago for her younger son’s upanayanam. I have met her couple of years ago at her father’s 80th birthday celebration. Last March she was also at the Garudothsavam festival her father (my uncle) performed at Mannargudi. But I have always felt I could relate with her.
Consoling her came naturally to me, as I could empathise with her and her own strength at accepting and handling the difficult situation made it easy too. Her mother and her sister were also there with her. I spent two hours with them talking about various things and even laughing at times. I had my lunch in their house. I felt close to her more than ever before.
By 1 p.m. I left Sarala’s house on my return journey. I asked Saravanan to take me to the bus stop and put me in the bus to Ranipet. He took me to the main ‘Koimbedu’ bus stop, parked the car and came with me inside the bus stop, identified the right bus, made sure with the conductor that it is going to Ranipet, before I boarded the bus. I just took the first available seat, but he suggested a better seat at the front, near the window. I felt so safe, protected and being taken care of. Added to all his great qualities that were visible at the first sight of him, this made him a personification of goodness.
A young girl came and sat next to me. I asked her where she is going and what she does. It was a very interesting conversation. Her name was Kavitha. I introduced my self. It was obvious that this meeting was meant to be part of my trip.
It was a 2 ½ hour journey. It was hard for me to be sitting for that long without shifting much. But I felt relaxed looking out the window at passing landscape, and immersed in my own thoughts and plans – some very remote, some about the immediate environment. The bus music system played songs from Tamil movies of the early 60s I am familiar with.
The last ½ hour was the most difficult but I endured it knowing this too would pass. The bus stopped at ‘Muthukadai’. Before getting off the bus, I thanked the driver for his steady, safe, excellent driving. It is another 2 km. to where I live. The driver suggested I can take a local bus. I could have taken an auto. But I decided to walk as I felt I needed to strech my legs and loosen the stiff joints. It was only 4.30 p.m.
I walked and reached home before 5. I was tired, thirsty, and hungry and felt in need of a hot shower. I turned on the hot water heater in the bathroom, had a drink of water and thanked God for the successful completion of my mission. Then I fixed myself a plate of snacks – an apple, an orange, a slice of Nilgiri’s plum cake, a few pieces of cheese and 6 almonds. I also made a mug of hot Ovaltine from a mix I got from my sister Kala while I was in Singapore. I turned the fan on and sat down to have my snack, with a great sense of satisfaction.
Then I remembered even though I felt Saravanan was so good, and thanked him when I got into the bus, I never told him so. I called him and told him I have arrived safely and appreciated all his good qualities. He said he was worried and that he is happy to know I have reached home safely.
I feel going through all these activities with open mind in a focused manner without any expectations is what enabled me to be aware of what is happening around me and in my mind.
Of course if I had to write everything that happened, every conversation we had, every thought that went through my mind it would definitely run into over 10 pages.
But I need to add that the coffee break Sampath and I had at Coffee Day near Sriperumbuthur on the way in to Madras; just being able to listen to the lively conversation Sarathy, Ramya and Arvind had that evening and laugh with them; the excellent dinner of thin, soft phulka chapatti and very tasty Kovaikkai koottu Suja had prepared for dinner; the unplanned stop to test out poli at a sweet shop I have seen pass by many times - all added to my pleasant experience. I was at peace with myself.
And at the end of it all I felt I do accept the world as it is and the world is good.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
My preference for the positive
I enjoy watching movies that depict positive emotions, good communication skills, psychology of human emotions, identifying, understanding and expressing ones feelings, resolving conflicts etc.
Such movies stir up the positive emotions in me and make me feel good at the end.
That is why movies such as ‘Children of Heaven’ and ‘Nanne Jaisalmer’, which are about the ways of innocent children, have made great impact on me. I can watch these movies any number of times.
I like commercials, which show good understanding, tender love and kindness and trusting relationship.
I hero worship people who, I believe, have some of these good qualities and I long to be like them.
I don’t want to know if people have such negative thoughts and emotions depicted in Tamil serials where ordinary people like me scheme to destroy somebody, curse using such cruel words and even do not hesitate to murder to get what they want.
I cannot watch violence and display of anger even on the screen. It makes me uncomfortable. The fact that it is not for real doesn’t even register at that time.
Today I understood that actually it is I who live in a make believe, dream world, negating the reality. Because I believe the world should be all goody-goody, I get terribly disappointed when I learn all of it is not so.
I am aware that I am going through a process of evolution. Every day, every experience teaches me something new. If only I pay attention to it, register and understand the underlying message and learn from it I can grow.
Such movies stir up the positive emotions in me and make me feel good at the end.
That is why movies such as ‘Children of Heaven’ and ‘Nanne Jaisalmer’, which are about the ways of innocent children, have made great impact on me. I can watch these movies any number of times.
I like commercials, which show good understanding, tender love and kindness and trusting relationship.
I hero worship people who, I believe, have some of these good qualities and I long to be like them.
I don’t want to know if people have such negative thoughts and emotions depicted in Tamil serials where ordinary people like me scheme to destroy somebody, curse using such cruel words and even do not hesitate to murder to get what they want.
I cannot watch violence and display of anger even on the screen. It makes me uncomfortable. The fact that it is not for real doesn’t even register at that time.
Today I understood that actually it is I who live in a make believe, dream world, negating the reality. Because I believe the world should be all goody-goody, I get terribly disappointed when I learn all of it is not so.
I am aware that I am going through a process of evolution. Every day, every experience teaches me something new. If only I pay attention to it, register and understand the underlying message and learn from it I can grow.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Events I would like to remember
Events I would like to remember
Yesterday, three events that happened during the last 5 - 6 years came to my mind. I felt I should record them in my blog lest I forget.
This happened in 2004. The day after taking part in a 5-day-long Human Process Lab, I attended a workshop on ‘Bar coding’. I didn’t know anybody in the gathering. Right from the front of the hall a man came walking towards me and said vanakkam. He said there was an aura around me and he wanted to meet me. He introduced himself as a manufacturer and exporter of knitted garments from Thirupoor. He even rang me up a few years later asking for my blessings. I don’t remember his name or have his card.
During my visit to Sydney in 2006, I was sitting in the annexure of a public library with a coffee shop facility. I comfortably settled down with a cup of coffee, to read / go through the few books and magazines I have selected from the library.
With in few minutes I noticed that a man sitting at a table across from me is looking at me, holding a paper in his trembling hands. Whenever I lifted my head from my book, I saw him sitting there and looking at me. I ignored him and continued with my reading. After nearly an hour, when I was ready to leave I still found the man in the same situation. Being in a public place, I found it safe to talk to him. I approached him at his table and asked him what is the matter, why he is staring at me. He trembled more noticeably and said he wanted to talk to me but was afraid. He handed over to me the paper he was holding. It was only a torn sheet of paper. In it he has written ‘I worship you Goddess’. I didn’t know what to make of it and asked him why he had written that. He said he had visited India in his younger days and looking at me he was so fascinated by me.
On the way back to India, after a stopover at Singapore, my sister called for a taxi to drop me off at the airport. When the taxi driver saw me he made a quick gesture of being ‘taken aback’. He said there was a powerful force coming from me. While driving, he repeatedly looked at me through the rear-view mirror and shook his head in disbelief.
I attributed the last two events to the energy I must have gained by my ‘base-walk’ of the Ayer’s Rock in Australia. http://www.australianexplorer.com/uluru.htm
And looking back with this awareness at the first incident at the ‘Bar Coding’ workshop, I feel the ‘meditative way’ of the proceedings of the Human Process Lab must have had a calming effect on me.
But what I find amazing is that it was visible to three people totally unconnected with my day-to-day life. It was so strong and powerful that they didn’t hesitate to express it to a total stranger.
May be I too have such moments when I could recognize the inner glow (or is it the soul?) of people I meet. I need to be more conscious of it to realize it.
Yesterday, three events that happened during the last 5 - 6 years came to my mind. I felt I should record them in my blog lest I forget.
This happened in 2004. The day after taking part in a 5-day-long Human Process Lab, I attended a workshop on ‘Bar coding’. I didn’t know anybody in the gathering. Right from the front of the hall a man came walking towards me and said vanakkam. He said there was an aura around me and he wanted to meet me. He introduced himself as a manufacturer and exporter of knitted garments from Thirupoor. He even rang me up a few years later asking for my blessings. I don’t remember his name or have his card.
During my visit to Sydney in 2006, I was sitting in the annexure of a public library with a coffee shop facility. I comfortably settled down with a cup of coffee, to read / go through the few books and magazines I have selected from the library.
With in few minutes I noticed that a man sitting at a table across from me is looking at me, holding a paper in his trembling hands. Whenever I lifted my head from my book, I saw him sitting there and looking at me. I ignored him and continued with my reading. After nearly an hour, when I was ready to leave I still found the man in the same situation. Being in a public place, I found it safe to talk to him. I approached him at his table and asked him what is the matter, why he is staring at me. He trembled more noticeably and said he wanted to talk to me but was afraid. He handed over to me the paper he was holding. It was only a torn sheet of paper. In it he has written ‘I worship you Goddess’. I didn’t know what to make of it and asked him why he had written that. He said he had visited India in his younger days and looking at me he was so fascinated by me.
On the way back to India, after a stopover at Singapore, my sister called for a taxi to drop me off at the airport. When the taxi driver saw me he made a quick gesture of being ‘taken aback’. He said there was a powerful force coming from me. While driving, he repeatedly looked at me through the rear-view mirror and shook his head in disbelief.
I attributed the last two events to the energy I must have gained by my ‘base-walk’ of the Ayer’s Rock in Australia. http://www.australianexplorer.com/uluru.htm
And looking back with this awareness at the first incident at the ‘Bar Coding’ workshop, I feel the ‘meditative way’ of the proceedings of the Human Process Lab must have had a calming effect on me.
But what I find amazing is that it was visible to three people totally unconnected with my day-to-day life. It was so strong and powerful that they didn’t hesitate to express it to a total stranger.
May be I too have such moments when I could recognize the inner glow (or is it the soul?) of people I meet. I need to be more conscious of it to realize it.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Bubbling with happiness
I am bubbling with happiness this morning.
I opened a pack of Dates for breakfast and noted on the package that it is ‘deseeded’. In that instance I understood the difference between ‘seedless’ and ‘deseeded’. And that led to the awareness that how communication with inappropriate usage of words, however insignificant it may sound, can be grossly misunderstood.
Before leaving for work, I got to see the last 5 minutes of the Iranian movie ‘Children of heaven’. It is one of my favourite movies. I have watched it many times, but somehow missed the last portion of it - after the boy comes first in the running race. Today I saw the final scene - The boy Ali takes off his torn and tattered shoes, peels of his socks from his blistered feet and soaks his feet in a pond and golden fishes come and caress his feet. It was a poetic finale for a classic movie. (I never get tired of talking about this movie)
Last night at the dining table we were discussing lunar eclipse. My brother said it was lunar eclipse couple of days ago. I knew it was not full moon couple of days ago and hence I said it couldn’t be. My niece said it could occur on other days too.
As is my personality, I wasn’t very sure of my facts. I withdrew from the argument. First thing after coming to work this morning, I checked in Google. It clearly stated ‘there is always a full moon the night of a lunar eclipse’. This not only clarified my understanding, but going through the exercise, this information would also be etched in my memory.
I know the happiness bubbling in me is disproportionate to the actual experiences, but I also realize this is what happiness is all about.
I opened a pack of Dates for breakfast and noted on the package that it is ‘deseeded’. In that instance I understood the difference between ‘seedless’ and ‘deseeded’. And that led to the awareness that how communication with inappropriate usage of words, however insignificant it may sound, can be grossly misunderstood.
Before leaving for work, I got to see the last 5 minutes of the Iranian movie ‘Children of heaven’. It is one of my favourite movies. I have watched it many times, but somehow missed the last portion of it - after the boy comes first in the running race. Today I saw the final scene - The boy Ali takes off his torn and tattered shoes, peels of his socks from his blistered feet and soaks his feet in a pond and golden fishes come and caress his feet. It was a poetic finale for a classic movie. (I never get tired of talking about this movie)
Last night at the dining table we were discussing lunar eclipse. My brother said it was lunar eclipse couple of days ago. I knew it was not full moon couple of days ago and hence I said it couldn’t be. My niece said it could occur on other days too.
As is my personality, I wasn’t very sure of my facts. I withdrew from the argument. First thing after coming to work this morning, I checked in Google. It clearly stated ‘there is always a full moon the night of a lunar eclipse’. This not only clarified my understanding, but going through the exercise, this information would also be etched in my memory.
I know the happiness bubbling in me is disproportionate to the actual experiences, but I also realize this is what happiness is all about.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Positive self image
Positive self image
I am extremely happy the way Times Now news channel has started playing the roll of 5th Pillar so diligently and other news channels are following suit.
I often wondered why nobody is talking about what is actually happening in the country. Even when we get to know the various illegal activities of the political leaders, as a mere citizen of India, we are all helpless to do anything about it.
Now, I have started watching the News. Bringing to the fore these unscrupulous ‘leaders’ and their corrupt methods to get to the power, stay in power and amass wealth is a very brave and commendable act.
But the unearthing of various scams and continuously broadcasting new findings, one bigger than the other and projecting the culprit and the way these have been maneuvered, is very over-powering. It looks as if this is what India is all about. Watching or reading about such news day in and day out is very depressing. It makes me feel we are all doomed. When The Economist had the story on India titled ‘India rotten to the crore’, I felt so ashamed.
I feel the media need to counter balance these negative imputs every day, with projection of less-known people who are working for the country, serving the people and the society against all odds. This would be motivating for people to follow their example, for young people to have a role model and for us to feel proud of our country.
I am extremely happy the way Times Now news channel has started playing the roll of 5th Pillar so diligently and other news channels are following suit.
I often wondered why nobody is talking about what is actually happening in the country. Even when we get to know the various illegal activities of the political leaders, as a mere citizen of India, we are all helpless to do anything about it.
Now, I have started watching the News. Bringing to the fore these unscrupulous ‘leaders’ and their corrupt methods to get to the power, stay in power and amass wealth is a very brave and commendable act.
But the unearthing of various scams and continuously broadcasting new findings, one bigger than the other and projecting the culprit and the way these have been maneuvered, is very over-powering. It looks as if this is what India is all about. Watching or reading about such news day in and day out is very depressing. It makes me feel we are all doomed. When The Economist had the story on India titled ‘India rotten to the crore’, I felt so ashamed.
I feel the media need to counter balance these negative imputs every day, with projection of less-known people who are working for the country, serving the people and the society against all odds. This would be motivating for people to follow their example, for young people to have a role model and for us to feel proud of our country.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
An insight
An insight
I am reading the book ‘Into the thin air’ by Jon Krakauer. Today I watched the movie ‘Lorenzo’s oil’.
The book is about the events that take place on the Himalayas during an expedition to reach Mt. Everest. The movie is about two parents in search for a cure for their son’s rare genetic disorder.
I have had the book in my shelf for sometime. I don’t remember when I got it; I don’t know why I didn’t read it earlier. I am only less than halfway through reading the book. I have seen 'Lorenzo’s oil' before.
Though they are two entirely different kinds of stories describing entirely different life experiences, I found the underlying theme to be very similar. It struck me as a great truth.
The tough fight they put up against something bigger than themselves; their commitment to reach the set goal however difficult it may be, facing the heart-breaking, soul-crushing experiences; the depth of human emotions and the inherent strength people have that surfaces at times of extreme challenges, all come through in these two stories.
What surprises me is that not only I can relate with these experiences so well, but also with what we go through in our life when faced with any crisis.
Though, generally, what is happening in our day-to-day life may not be of this epic proportion, nevertheless, when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable problems / issues, we need to search and identify what we want, set a goal and muster up all our strength to reach that goal unwaveringly.
It is true that I do get deeply involved with the protagonist and the events in a good story in the books I read and the movies I watch but this is the first time I felt there is a lesson for me here.
It is a great revelation / insightful learning for me not to give up hope.
I am reading the book ‘Into the thin air’ by Jon Krakauer. Today I watched the movie ‘Lorenzo’s oil’.
The book is about the events that take place on the Himalayas during an expedition to reach Mt. Everest. The movie is about two parents in search for a cure for their son’s rare genetic disorder.
I have had the book in my shelf for sometime. I don’t remember when I got it; I don’t know why I didn’t read it earlier. I am only less than halfway through reading the book. I have seen 'Lorenzo’s oil' before.
Though they are two entirely different kinds of stories describing entirely different life experiences, I found the underlying theme to be very similar. It struck me as a great truth.
The tough fight they put up against something bigger than themselves; their commitment to reach the set goal however difficult it may be, facing the heart-breaking, soul-crushing experiences; the depth of human emotions and the inherent strength people have that surfaces at times of extreme challenges, all come through in these two stories.
What surprises me is that not only I can relate with these experiences so well, but also with what we go through in our life when faced with any crisis.
Though, generally, what is happening in our day-to-day life may not be of this epic proportion, nevertheless, when we are faced with seemingly insurmountable problems / issues, we need to search and identify what we want, set a goal and muster up all our strength to reach that goal unwaveringly.
It is true that I do get deeply involved with the protagonist and the events in a good story in the books I read and the movies I watch but this is the first time I felt there is a lesson for me here.
It is a great revelation / insightful learning for me not to give up hope.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wheels on the luggage
Wheels on the luggage
Wheels on the luggage has made moving through travel terminals very easy and quick. It has eased the strain on our arms and back. It is so comfortable to drag / pull along a suitcase weighing 20 Kg or more without much effort. Now we don’t have to carry even a carry bag as it comes with wheels too.
This has changed the quality of our travel. No searching and waiting for a porter, no running after him in the crowd to keep tab of my luggage and when delivered at the destination no haggling with him for the rate. How hassle free, convenient, and easy it has become. It saves time too.
I feel it is a luxury to get off the train or plane, and leisurely drag my suitcase along and walk the entire distance to the exit. I feel so proud of myself for being so independent. Everytime I do it I can’t but admire and thank the person who invented this simple devise. It could surely be listed among one of the ‘ideas that changed the world’.
How I wish I could invent something as simple as this that can revolutionalise our way of life.
Wheels on the luggage has made moving through travel terminals very easy and quick. It has eased the strain on our arms and back. It is so comfortable to drag / pull along a suitcase weighing 20 Kg or more without much effort. Now we don’t have to carry even a carry bag as it comes with wheels too.
This has changed the quality of our travel. No searching and waiting for a porter, no running after him in the crowd to keep tab of my luggage and when delivered at the destination no haggling with him for the rate. How hassle free, convenient, and easy it has become. It saves time too.
I feel it is a luxury to get off the train or plane, and leisurely drag my suitcase along and walk the entire distance to the exit. I feel so proud of myself for being so independent. Everytime I do it I can’t but admire and thank the person who invented this simple devise. It could surely be listed among one of the ‘ideas that changed the world’.
How I wish I could invent something as simple as this that can revolutionalise our way of life.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Movies I enjoyed
Movies I enjoyed
I saw two excellent Hindi movies on TV during the weekend
1.Welcome to Sajjanpur
2. Bumm Bumm Bole
Both latest movies I highly recommend. Google for details
I saw two excellent Hindi movies on TV during the weekend
1.Welcome to Sajjanpur
2. Bumm Bumm Bole
Both latest movies I highly recommend. Google for details
Friday, October 15, 2010
பேசலாமா?
சில சமயங்களில் நான் ரொம்ப அதிகமாக பேசுகிறேனோ என்று தோன்றும். ஏதோ என் மனதில் இருப்பதை எல்லாம், என் எண்ணங்களை எல்லாம், எனக்கு தெரிந்ததை எல்லாம் சொல்லிவிடவேண்டும் போல ஒரு வேகம், என் சந்தோஷத்தை பகிர்ந்துகொள்ள வேண்டும், மற்றவர்களை சிரிக்கவைக்க வேண்டும், மற்றவர்களுக்கு என்னை புரியவைக்க வேண்டும் என்று ஒரு உத்வேகம் இருக்கிறது. நிசப்தத்தின் கனம் அழுத்துவது போல அதை கலைத்து சிதறடித்துவிட வேண்டும் போல தோன்றுகிறது.
ஆனால் அப்படி வாய் ஓயாமல் பேசியபின் என் பேச்சின் சப்தமே எனக்கு அலுப்புத்தட்டி விடுகிறது. ஏன் அப்படி பேசுகிறேன் என்று எனக்குள் கேள்வி எழுகிறது.
பல நேரங்களில் நான் சுவாரஸ்யமாக பேசினேன் சிரிக்க சிரிக்க பேசினேன் என்று எனக்கே தோன்றினாலும் சில சமயங்களில் அதிகமாக பேசிவிடுகிறேனோ
அடக்கமுடியாமல் ஒரு கட்டுப்பாடில்லாமல் பேசிவிடுகிறேனோ என்றும் தோன்றுகிறது.
அன்று விஜய் டிவியில் வேளுக்குடி கிருஷ்ணன் எப்பொழுதெல்லாம் பேசக்கூடாது என்று சொன்னார். இதோ அந்த லிஸ்ட் -
1. தெரியாத விஷயத்தை பற்றி பேசவே கூடாது
2. தெரிந்ததையும் சம்பந்தம் இல்லாத இடத்தில் பேசக்கூடாது
3. உங்கள் அபிப்ராயத்தை கேட்காத போது பேசக்கூடாது
4. ஒருவர் பேசிகொண்டிருக்கும் பொது குறுக்கே பேசக்கூடாது
5. முடிவை முன்பே தீர்மானித்துக்கொண்டு 'இது தான் சரி' என்று அடித்து பேசக்கூடாது
6. பெரியவர்கள் பேசிகொண்டிருக்கும் போது சிறியவர்கள் குறுக்கே பேசக்கூடாது
7. பேசவந்த விஷயத்தை தவிர அனாவசியமாக மற்றதைஎல்லாம் சேர்த்து பேசக்கூடாது
8. ரகசியத்தை வெளியிடும் விதத்தில் பேசக்கூடாது
9. மற்றவர்கள் சொல்வதை கவனித்து புரிந்து கொள்ளாமல் பேசக்கூடாது
10. எனக்கு எல்லாமே தெரியும் என்று காட்டிக்கொள்ளும் மமதையில் எதை பற்றியும் பேசக்கூடாது
ஆனால் -
11. பேசவேண்டிய சமயத்தில் பேசாமலும் இருக்கக்கூடாது
நினைவில் வைத்துகொள்வது சுலபம். கடைபிடிக்கத்தான் நிறைய கவனம் வேண்டும், பயிற்சி வேண்டும். Will definitely work at it.
ஆனால் அப்படி வாய் ஓயாமல் பேசியபின் என் பேச்சின் சப்தமே எனக்கு அலுப்புத்தட்டி விடுகிறது. ஏன் அப்படி பேசுகிறேன் என்று எனக்குள் கேள்வி எழுகிறது.
பல நேரங்களில் நான் சுவாரஸ்யமாக பேசினேன் சிரிக்க சிரிக்க பேசினேன் என்று எனக்கே தோன்றினாலும் சில சமயங்களில் அதிகமாக பேசிவிடுகிறேனோ
அடக்கமுடியாமல் ஒரு கட்டுப்பாடில்லாமல் பேசிவிடுகிறேனோ என்றும் தோன்றுகிறது.
அன்று விஜய் டிவியில் வேளுக்குடி கிருஷ்ணன் எப்பொழுதெல்லாம் பேசக்கூடாது என்று சொன்னார். இதோ அந்த லிஸ்ட் -
1. தெரியாத விஷயத்தை பற்றி பேசவே கூடாது
2. தெரிந்ததையும் சம்பந்தம் இல்லாத இடத்தில் பேசக்கூடாது
3. உங்கள் அபிப்ராயத்தை கேட்காத போது பேசக்கூடாது
4. ஒருவர் பேசிகொண்டிருக்கும் பொது குறுக்கே பேசக்கூடாது
5. முடிவை முன்பே தீர்மானித்துக்கொண்டு 'இது தான் சரி' என்று அடித்து பேசக்கூடாது
6. பெரியவர்கள் பேசிகொண்டிருக்கும் போது சிறியவர்கள் குறுக்கே பேசக்கூடாது
7. பேசவந்த விஷயத்தை தவிர அனாவசியமாக மற்றதைஎல்லாம் சேர்த்து பேசக்கூடாது
8. ரகசியத்தை வெளியிடும் விதத்தில் பேசக்கூடாது
9. மற்றவர்கள் சொல்வதை கவனித்து புரிந்து கொள்ளாமல் பேசக்கூடாது
10. எனக்கு எல்லாமே தெரியும் என்று காட்டிக்கொள்ளும் மமதையில் எதை பற்றியும் பேசக்கூடாது
ஆனால் -
11. பேசவேண்டிய சமயத்தில் பேசாமலும் இருக்கக்கூடாது
நினைவில் வைத்துகொள்வது சுலபம். கடைபிடிக்கத்தான் நிறைய கவனம் வேண்டும், பயிற்சி வேண்டும். Will definitely work at it.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Open letter to Steve Jobs and Bill Gates
Open letter to Steve Jobs and Bill Gates
Dear Mr. Job and Mr. Gates
You have produced great computers with such advanced technology for which I can’t even begin to understand the basics.
But I have one big complaint about your product. How, even after producing the computers and all its allied components for so many years, you haven’t even thought of / paid any attention to solving this ugly aspect of your product baffles me.
I am talking about all the wires that connect various components. Behind and around any computer installation there is a messy tangle of the unutilized lengths of wires that collect dust and fluff. It makes any place look unsightly.
We have had Hoover vacuum cleaners whose length of wire would automatically be reeled back into the machine after use.
In India, we have this Sumeet Kitchen Machine – grinder that has a simple mechanism to tidily wind the wire around and plug in the plug, while putting it away.
Can’t you think of using any of these simple means to keep the extra wires tucked away tidily?
It would make a huge difference in aesthetics.
Dear Mr. Job and Mr. Gates
You have produced great computers with such advanced technology for which I can’t even begin to understand the basics.
But I have one big complaint about your product. How, even after producing the computers and all its allied components for so many years, you haven’t even thought of / paid any attention to solving this ugly aspect of your product baffles me.
I am talking about all the wires that connect various components. Behind and around any computer installation there is a messy tangle of the unutilized lengths of wires that collect dust and fluff. It makes any place look unsightly.
We have had Hoover vacuum cleaners whose length of wire would automatically be reeled back into the machine after use.
In India, we have this Sumeet Kitchen Machine – grinder that has a simple mechanism to tidily wind the wire around and plug in the plug, while putting it away.
Can’t you think of using any of these simple means to keep the extra wires tucked away tidily?
It would make a huge difference in aesthetics.
A lesson in gift giving
A lesson in Gift giving
I thought I was the one who discovered that the date my birthday falls this year on 10.10.10 is unique. I found out that there are hundreds of reporting / recording in the media about the significance of 10.10.10.
Quote
“Today is one of those rare dates on which the day, month and year form a binary number. Bizarrely the date (101010) when converted in to binary produces the number 42, the famous ‘answer to the life, the universe and everything’ as found in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.”
“This day is special because the sum total of 10-10-10 is three, which is the number of planet Jupiter. Since Jupiter is a powerful planet and indicates prosperity for the universe, it makes this date very auspicious.”
“The day is celebrated as HUMANITY'S DATE WITH DESTINY.”
Unquote
So many of my family members and friends wished me by phone, sms and mail. As is my usual pratise, I wore a new saree and carried on my routine activities of a Sunday.
But at 10 minutes and 10 seconds past 10 am (10:10:10:10:10:10) there was a knock on my door. I opened the door and saw a huge bouquet of roses. Only after that I saw the man holding it. It is a gift from my friend Sendhil from Qatar. He has arranged for it to be delivered by his brother living in Ranipet. He also handed over another package gift-wrapped. I was overwhelmed. The gift was a pack of ‘Cadbury Celebration’ containing boxes of chocolate-coated almond, cashew and raisins.
Sendhil taught me a lesson in gift giving. ( பரிசு கொடுப்பதற்கு ஒரு இலக்கணம்)
He has not only put in great thought to choosing the gift, but also to delivering it and has followed through to see that it was done. He called me at the same time as his brother delivered the gifts to make sure I got it as he had planned and wished me happy birthday. I can't even begine to imagine the amount of planning and coordination this requires.
I don’t think we have a florist in Ranipet. It had to be bought may be from Vellore, ordered in advance to have so many roses, and picked up early in the morning on a Sunday. Sendhil has made sure that his brother would do it. The gift of ‘Cadbury Celebration’, is not a random gift picked up from a local shop. He must have identified this as something I would enjoy, from what I must have mentioned casually about my love for dry fruit and nuts.
He has taught me what gift giving is all about. His expression of his love for me in such a thoughtful manner made my day.
The flower bouquet with over 50 roses sits on my TV holding the centre stage in my flat and chocolates in the fridge I would eat it very sparingly to savour the thought behind it for a long-long time.
Thank you Sendhil
I thought I was the one who discovered that the date my birthday falls this year on 10.10.10 is unique. I found out that there are hundreds of reporting / recording in the media about the significance of 10.10.10.
Quote
“Today is one of those rare dates on which the day, month and year form a binary number. Bizarrely the date (101010) when converted in to binary produces the number 42, the famous ‘answer to the life, the universe and everything’ as found in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.”
“This day is special because the sum total of 10-10-10 is three, which is the number of planet Jupiter. Since Jupiter is a powerful planet and indicates prosperity for the universe, it makes this date very auspicious.”
“The day is celebrated as HUMANITY'S DATE WITH DESTINY.”
Unquote
So many of my family members and friends wished me by phone, sms and mail. As is my usual pratise, I wore a new saree and carried on my routine activities of a Sunday.
But at 10 minutes and 10 seconds past 10 am (10:10:10:10:10:10) there was a knock on my door. I opened the door and saw a huge bouquet of roses. Only after that I saw the man holding it. It is a gift from my friend Sendhil from Qatar. He has arranged for it to be delivered by his brother living in Ranipet. He also handed over another package gift-wrapped. I was overwhelmed. The gift was a pack of ‘Cadbury Celebration’ containing boxes of chocolate-coated almond, cashew and raisins.
Sendhil taught me a lesson in gift giving. ( பரிசு கொடுப்பதற்கு ஒரு இலக்கணம்)
He has not only put in great thought to choosing the gift, but also to delivering it and has followed through to see that it was done. He called me at the same time as his brother delivered the gifts to make sure I got it as he had planned and wished me happy birthday. I can't even begine to imagine the amount of planning and coordination this requires.
I don’t think we have a florist in Ranipet. It had to be bought may be from Vellore, ordered in advance to have so many roses, and picked up early in the morning on a Sunday. Sendhil has made sure that his brother would do it. The gift of ‘Cadbury Celebration’, is not a random gift picked up from a local shop. He must have identified this as something I would enjoy, from what I must have mentioned casually about my love for dry fruit and nuts.
He has taught me what gift giving is all about. His expression of his love for me in such a thoughtful manner made my day.
The flower bouquet with over 50 roses sits on my TV holding the centre stage in my flat and chocolates in the fridge I would eat it very sparingly to savour the thought behind it for a long-long time.
Thank you Sendhil
Monday, October 4, 2010
10.10.'10
10.10.'10
My birthday is on Sunday. It is a special day. This day would never come again in my lifetime. It is not the same as I would never be 69 again. It is the date on which my birthday falls this year that is unique.
It only dawned on me a few days ago. Only people who are born on dates 1 to 12 can have this unique privilege. It would only happen in the first 12 years of a century. People who are born on dates 1 to 9 have already had this. In this century, there are only two more dates left after mine. Then it would only be in the 22nd century. I don't know how to calculate the probability of anyone having it in their life time. I feel so happy I realized this before the event. I somehow feel honoured. I share my date of birth with one of my favourite Hindi film stars - Rekha. I wonder whether she is aware of this special date.
My cousin Sampath would have this privilege next year.
My birthday is on Sunday. It is a special day. This day would never come again in my lifetime. It is not the same as I would never be 69 again. It is the date on which my birthday falls this year that is unique.
It only dawned on me a few days ago. Only people who are born on dates 1 to 12 can have this unique privilege. It would only happen in the first 12 years of a century. People who are born on dates 1 to 9 have already had this. In this century, there are only two more dates left after mine. Then it would only be in the 22nd century. I don't know how to calculate the probability of anyone having it in their life time. I feel so happy I realized this before the event. I somehow feel honoured. I share my date of birth with one of my favourite Hindi film stars - Rekha. I wonder whether she is aware of this special date.
My cousin Sampath would have this privilege next year.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Real / new me
Real / new me - I have been in a dilemma for quite sometime now, unable to make a decision. The issue is not life threatening, or something that would make a huge difference to my way of life. It will not affect anybody else. It is just a practice I have been following. I got into it without any great debate. It is an image of myself I have projected for nearly 20 years. Yet, it is not a lie; I didn’t cheat anybody. It is the image I felt comfortable with, that made me feel I care for myself. It is one of the habits like wearing fresh-clean-starched-ironed cotton saree that I would find difficult to get out of.
My sister Indira once told me that for her it took the same type of courage as to visit strange countries by herself.
I have decided to give up this practice while being away from home among strangers. Getting used to my own image, hopefully, will help me to face my family and friends' raised eyebrows when I meet them.
Express Positively
Express positively -I am fine, I appreciate that, I am happy, I am satisfied, That is good, Thank you – these are some of the phrases used to express our positive feelings. But very often I hear people using terms like – Not bad, No problem, No worries, I am not complaining etc. to mean the same thing. Lately I have been finding these expressions unacceptable. In this case I feel two negatives do not bring out the positive meaning but only makes it 2 x Negative.
I have been conscious of this aspect in my communication and correct myself if I use a similar phrase to say something positive.
One Friday morning while walking into the Company I heard the song ‘Kurai ondrum illai’ (குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை) by M.S.Subbalakshmi being played at our Assembly Point. It is one of my favourite songs - wonderful lyrics with a powerful tune. At one time I even tried to learn to sing this song. It says ‘I have no complaints when you are there to provide me with every thing I need’. But that day it struck me as not a good way to start the day - with a compound word with two negatives – kurai + illai.
'Mahanadhi' Shobana sang this song at the wedding I attended in Washington. Again I felt it is not the appropriate way to say Thank you God. I wanted to tell her, but refrained as I didn’t want to negate her beautiful rendering of that song.
Friday, September 10, 2010
The 'Butterfly Effect'
My brother Sridhar has talked about his friend Dr.Ramanathan. I didn’t know anything about his family background. But when his son Rakesh’s wedding was scheduled to be held on Sept. 5th 2010 in Washington, my trip to US came to be part of it. I wasn’t even directly invited for the wedding.
I can only think of it as a variation of the ‘butterfly effect’ - seemingly unconnected event causing a significant impact in my life.
Sridhar taking care of the flight bookings, the major portion of our travel plan, made it comfortable for me to handle the rest of the preparation. Of course, having a valid US visa was a great help. I got myself an entirely new wardrobe for the trip.
The journey though long, was perfect - the company, the movies i watched, the food and all.
The wedding was held in Sheraton Hotel. It was a fusion of North Indian and South Indian, Eastern and Western culture, Christian and Hindu rituals and practises. Had a Baraath (maapillai azhaipu), the entire religious rites of a South Indian Hindu marriage; the bride and the groom were walked down the isle (like in a church wedding) to the dais by one of their parents, the couple read out their wedding vows etc. The guests were given printed programmes to follow and understand the proceedings. The priests were dressed traditionally but suited to the place and venue. There was a symbolic fire. Every ceremony was conducted in an abridged / condensed version to do justice, but to fit into an agreed upon time schedule of just two hours. It was a perfectly planned wedding. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The highlight for me personally was -
A girl sang a oonjal song in such a silky-smooth, honey-dipped voice that made me sit up. It touched a cord somewhere that reminded me of 'Mahanadhi' Shobana - though this girl didn’t look like the girl I had seen on TV, dressed in a traditional manner appropriate for carnatic music performance. I admired her looks, her stage presence, her singing style and the joy and bubbling happiness she created inside me.
After the ceremony I went to meet her to congratulate and express my appreciation. I asked her whether she was 'Mahanadi' Shobana. She said ‘yes’. I told her she is one of my favourite persons, asked her if I could have a hug and hugged her without waiting for a reply.
That felt great.
I can only think of it as a variation of the ‘butterfly effect’ - seemingly unconnected event causing a significant impact in my life.
Sridhar taking care of the flight bookings, the major portion of our travel plan, made it comfortable for me to handle the rest of the preparation. Of course, having a valid US visa was a great help. I got myself an entirely new wardrobe for the trip.
The journey though long, was perfect - the company, the movies i watched, the food and all.
The wedding was held in Sheraton Hotel. It was a fusion of North Indian and South Indian, Eastern and Western culture, Christian and Hindu rituals and practises. Had a Baraath (maapillai azhaipu), the entire religious rites of a South Indian Hindu marriage; the bride and the groom were walked down the isle (like in a church wedding) to the dais by one of their parents, the couple read out their wedding vows etc. The guests were given printed programmes to follow and understand the proceedings. The priests were dressed traditionally but suited to the place and venue. There was a symbolic fire. Every ceremony was conducted in an abridged / condensed version to do justice, but to fit into an agreed upon time schedule of just two hours. It was a perfectly planned wedding. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
The highlight for me personally was -
A girl sang a oonjal song in such a silky-smooth, honey-dipped voice that made me sit up. It touched a cord somewhere that reminded me of 'Mahanadhi' Shobana - though this girl didn’t look like the girl I had seen on TV, dressed in a traditional manner appropriate for carnatic music performance. I admired her looks, her stage presence, her singing style and the joy and bubbling happiness she created inside me.
After the ceremony I went to meet her to congratulate and express my appreciation. I asked her whether she was 'Mahanadi' Shobana. She said ‘yes’. I told her she is one of my favourite persons, asked her if I could have a hug and hugged her without waiting for a reply.
That felt great.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
A Priority tag
A Priority tag
I went on a late night flight to Mumbai. I had a cabin-size suitcase, packed only half full. It was light to carry. I was going to take it as a hand baggage. But when I checked-in the girl at the counter asked if I could check-in my baggage, as there were lots of people with hand baggage and it would be difficult to accommodate them all in the overhead lockers. As an incentive, she offered to tag my bag with a ‘priority’ tag so that when I reach Mumbai it would come out in the first lot of bags.
As I had nearly two hours to wait in the airport it was so convenient not to have a suitcase to drag along everywhere, or carry it up the stairs while boarding.
I also asked the girl for a seat in the Exit row to have enough legroom to stretch. She gave me the window seat in row 1. That too was most convenient.
And at the other end, when I arrived at 11.15 p.m., my bag came without any delay as promised. I felt so proud to have this special privilege.
Just with these two facilities I felt as if I traveled in Business Class.
On the way back I had the same suitcase. But this time it was full. It was a bit heavy. It would be difficult for me to carry. Still I planned to carry it on board, but took a chance and asked the girl if I could have a ‘priority’ tag if I checked in my bag. She asked whether I had a card – Gold or Platinum I suppose. I told her I don’t have it, but I am requesting the privilege because after reaching the destination I have to travel further to Ranipet for another two and a half hours. The girl obliged and gave my suitcase a ‘priority’ tag.
It helps to ask. It also helps when you look and behave elderly.
But this time I forgot to ask for a seat in the Exit row or at least a window or an isle seat and ended up in the middle seat!!
I went on a late night flight to Mumbai. I had a cabin-size suitcase, packed only half full. It was light to carry. I was going to take it as a hand baggage. But when I checked-in the girl at the counter asked if I could check-in my baggage, as there were lots of people with hand baggage and it would be difficult to accommodate them all in the overhead lockers. As an incentive, she offered to tag my bag with a ‘priority’ tag so that when I reach Mumbai it would come out in the first lot of bags.
As I had nearly two hours to wait in the airport it was so convenient not to have a suitcase to drag along everywhere, or carry it up the stairs while boarding.
I also asked the girl for a seat in the Exit row to have enough legroom to stretch. She gave me the window seat in row 1. That too was most convenient.
And at the other end, when I arrived at 11.15 p.m., my bag came without any delay as promised. I felt so proud to have this special privilege.
Just with these two facilities I felt as if I traveled in Business Class.
On the way back I had the same suitcase. But this time it was full. It was a bit heavy. It would be difficult for me to carry. Still I planned to carry it on board, but took a chance and asked the girl if I could have a ‘priority’ tag if I checked in my bag. She asked whether I had a card – Gold or Platinum I suppose. I told her I don’t have it, but I am requesting the privilege because after reaching the destination I have to travel further to Ranipet for another two and a half hours. The girl obliged and gave my suitcase a ‘priority’ tag.
It helps to ask. It also helps when you look and behave elderly.
But this time I forgot to ask for a seat in the Exit row or at least a window or an isle seat and ended up in the middle seat!!
Disability of a different kind
Disability of a different kind
Yesterday I was standing in a long queue to board the plane. A man entered the queue in front of me. He had some disability in his leg. He was dragging his leg. I gave him enough space and waited patiently behind him to let him go in his own pace.
A thought struck me that it is not my usual behaviour when somebody jumps the queue anywhere - whether in a bank, movie theater, railway station, in the checkout counter in a super market or even a driver on the road overtaking me when the road is not clear and tries to squeeze in front of me and expects me slow down to accommodate him.
I will not just accept it and let them go. I will show my displeasure, verbally, by a look or a raised eyebrow or honking the horn.
What made me behave differently this time? Is it because of the person’s disability? What if I could understand that people with unacceptable behaviour have an invisible disability? Wouldn’t it make me more tolerant of others?
Isn’t it obvious that people who jump the queue are disabled by impatience, ignorance of the norms, bad manners and self-centeredness?
Is it some kind of an insight? Would I remember this learning next time I encounter such a situation?
Yesterday I was standing in a long queue to board the plane. A man entered the queue in front of me. He had some disability in his leg. He was dragging his leg. I gave him enough space and waited patiently behind him to let him go in his own pace.
A thought struck me that it is not my usual behaviour when somebody jumps the queue anywhere - whether in a bank, movie theater, railway station, in the checkout counter in a super market or even a driver on the road overtaking me when the road is not clear and tries to squeeze in front of me and expects me slow down to accommodate him.
I will not just accept it and let them go. I will show my displeasure, verbally, by a look or a raised eyebrow or honking the horn.
What made me behave differently this time? Is it because of the person’s disability? What if I could understand that people with unacceptable behaviour have an invisible disability? Wouldn’t it make me more tolerant of others?
Isn’t it obvious that people who jump the queue are disabled by impatience, ignorance of the norms, bad manners and self-centeredness?
Is it some kind of an insight? Would I remember this learning next time I encounter such a situation?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Observing my thoughts
Observing my thoughts
"When a father gives away his daughter, do you know how much was the hidden cost?"
- I read this and felt what a nice way of putting it. It must be a professional Accountant asking.
In Chennai while I was passing by the 'Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board' (சென்னை குடிநீர் வழங்கல், கழிவு நீர் அகற்றும் வாரியம்) I felt they should have separate Board for these two functions to avoid contamination.
"When a father gives away his daughter, do you know how much was the hidden cost?"
- I read this and felt what a nice way of putting it. It must be a professional Accountant asking.
In Chennai while I was passing by the 'Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board' (சென்னை குடிநீர் வழங்கல், கழிவு நீர் அகற்றும் வாரியம்) I felt they should have separate Board for these two functions to avoid contamination.
Chasing the Dream
Chasing the Dream
Last nigh I watched "The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream" on TV. Being a tele-movie it was short and crisp. It was pleasant to watch all through.
The movie is about an unlikely figure skating pair: A champion figure skater paired with a tough tomboyish ice hockey player. I found it very enjoyable watching all the twist and turns and jumps they do so smoothly like in a ballet.
To win the nationals, the pair must do a new life-threatening move nobody has risked doing lately. The move involves the man picking the woman up by an ankle, swinging her up and down and around at greater speeds and parabolic angles and throwing her up into the air, after which the pair spins identically but at different heights. It ends with the man catching the woman on her way down as they both come out of their spins, bringing her down on to her feet.
When they executed this move it was so spectacular, I involuntarily stood up and clapped with joy. After a pair has gone through such an experience is it any wonder / surprise that they expressed their love for each other? They could have done that move only as a team with trust in each other - main ingredient for love, any kind of love between any two individuals.
I liked the movie very much. I am romantic at heart. It made me bubble with happiness and energy for the rest of the evening.
Last nigh I watched "The Cutting Edge 3: Chasing the Dream" on TV. Being a tele-movie it was short and crisp. It was pleasant to watch all through.
The movie is about an unlikely figure skating pair: A champion figure skater paired with a tough tomboyish ice hockey player. I found it very enjoyable watching all the twist and turns and jumps they do so smoothly like in a ballet.
To win the nationals, the pair must do a new life-threatening move nobody has risked doing lately. The move involves the man picking the woman up by an ankle, swinging her up and down and around at greater speeds and parabolic angles and throwing her up into the air, after which the pair spins identically but at different heights. It ends with the man catching the woman on her way down as they both come out of their spins, bringing her down on to her feet.
When they executed this move it was so spectacular, I involuntarily stood up and clapped with joy. After a pair has gone through such an experience is it any wonder / surprise that they expressed their love for each other? They could have done that move only as a team with trust in each other - main ingredient for love, any kind of love between any two individuals.
I liked the movie very much. I am romantic at heart. It made me bubble with happiness and energy for the rest of the evening.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
This is what life is all about
This is what life is all about
Yesterday in the morning when I turned on the TV at ten past six to view Bharadaththil dharmam, பாரதத்தில் தர்மம், the TV opened with the Star Movie channel.
A man was sitting comfortably in a speeding motorboat in the middle of the sea. Nobody else was with him. There was nothing else in sight, just the vast expanse of the sea, with its rolling waves. There wasn't any clue as to what time of the day it could be, but the clear blue sky indicated a sunny day. The man was very relaxed. The movie ended with that scene. I don't know what movie it was, or anything about the movie. The scene looked so good; it got etched in my mind.
I felt what a satisfying experience it must be and how lucky he is to be able to do that.
It also made me think.
For the man to feel that relaxed in a tiny motor boat, in the middle of the sea, how much preparation must have gone into it, what all the competencies he must have developed to get that self-confident, how comfortable he should be with himself to be on his own, how much trust he must have in himself and in a higher power to be able to face any adversary.
Whatever we do, this is what life is all about.
Yesterday in the morning when I turned on the TV at ten past six to view Bharadaththil dharmam, பாரதத்தில் தர்மம், the TV opened with the Star Movie channel.
A man was sitting comfortably in a speeding motorboat in the middle of the sea. Nobody else was with him. There was nothing else in sight, just the vast expanse of the sea, with its rolling waves. There wasn't any clue as to what time of the day it could be, but the clear blue sky indicated a sunny day. The man was very relaxed. The movie ended with that scene. I don't know what movie it was, or anything about the movie. The scene looked so good; it got etched in my mind.
I felt what a satisfying experience it must be and how lucky he is to be able to do that.
It also made me think.
For the man to feel that relaxed in a tiny motor boat, in the middle of the sea, how much preparation must have gone into it, what all the competencies he must have developed to get that self-confident, how comfortable he should be with himself to be on his own, how much trust he must have in himself and in a higher power to be able to face any adversary.
Whatever we do, this is what life is all about.
Friday, July 23, 2010
My mother's prayers
My mother’s prayer habits were very simple. In the morning she would clean the small area specially designed in the corner of the dinning room, where we had the Kovil azhwar and some God pictures. She would remove previous day’s flowers, wipe off the Kolam, do fresh kolam, clean the wick of the oil lamp, add oil and light it and adjust the wick so that the flame would be just perfect.
When the milk is boiled, she would take a tumbler full of the freshly boiled milk, add sugar, mix it pouring it from the tumbler to another a few times to cool it enough before she would place it in front of the Gods.
At that time she would also say a few prayers aloud. They were a mixture of various slokas. I haven’t paid enough attention to it or asked her about what they meant. Recently going through some list of slokas I recognised some of the ones amma used to recite.
Amma knew so many tamil prayers of various azhwars, all the Andal thirupavai, and understood the meanings fully. Though it is in Tamil, being the old Tamil some words are not so easily recognizable. She didn’t find them difficult at all. Out of all those the one she used to recite in the morning so appropriately is the 29th poem -
'Chittram chirukaale vandhunnai seviththu' (சிற்றம் சிறுகாலே வந்துன்னை சேவித்து)
This has become my favourite now.
Another one was on Lakshmi Narasimhar -
यस्या भवत भक्त जनार्दी हन्तु
पितृत्व मन्येशु विचार्य तूर्णम
स्तम्भेवतारः तम अनन्य लभ्यम
लक्ष्मी न्र्सिम्हम शरणम प्रपद्ये
I don’t know how she learnt it. Reading it now I realize how well she used to pronounce it.
The third was on Thirupathi Venkataramana -
श्रीमान वेंकट नाधार्य कवितार्किक केसरी
वेदांता चार्य वर्योमे सननिधत्तां सदा हृदि l
Undoubtedly, she knew the meanings of these too. She recited these as if talking directly to her Gods.
When the milk is boiled, she would take a tumbler full of the freshly boiled milk, add sugar, mix it pouring it from the tumbler to another a few times to cool it enough before she would place it in front of the Gods.
At that time she would also say a few prayers aloud. They were a mixture of various slokas. I haven’t paid enough attention to it or asked her about what they meant. Recently going through some list of slokas I recognised some of the ones amma used to recite.
Amma knew so many tamil prayers of various azhwars, all the Andal thirupavai, and understood the meanings fully. Though it is in Tamil, being the old Tamil some words are not so easily recognizable. She didn’t find them difficult at all. Out of all those the one she used to recite in the morning so appropriately is the 29th poem -
'Chittram chirukaale vandhunnai seviththu' (சிற்றம் சிறுகாலே வந்துன்னை சேவித்து)
This has become my favourite now.
Another one was on Lakshmi Narasimhar -
यस्या भवत भक्त जनार्दी हन्तु
पितृत्व मन्येशु विचार्य तूर्णम
स्तम्भेवतारः तम अनन्य लभ्यम
लक्ष्मी न्र्सिम्हम शरणम प्रपद्ये
I don’t know how she learnt it. Reading it now I realize how well she used to pronounce it.
The third was on Thirupathi Venkataramana -
श्रीमान वेंकट नाधार्य कवितार्किक केसरी
वेदांता चार्य वर्योमे सननिधत्तां सदा हृदि l
Undoubtedly, she knew the meanings of these too. She recited these as if talking directly to her Gods.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Be aware of outdated practices - bring about a change
Be aware of outdated practices
Yesterday I felt, the song 'We shall overcome' is outdated and not relevant at all anymore for students to continue to sing in schools as a patriotic song. 'We shall Overcome Someday' (हम होंगे कामयाब एक दिन - in Hindi) is not saying much.
It was originally written by Rev. Charles Tindley, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was used as protest song during US civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and U.S. Senator for New York Robert F. Kennedy used it while leading the anti-apartheid crowds in Africa.
The website http://www.songsforteaching.com/positiveattitudes.htm has lots of 'Songs That Build Positive Attitudes and Self-Esteem', appropriate for schools.
Yesterday I felt, the song 'We shall overcome' is outdated and not relevant at all anymore for students to continue to sing in schools as a patriotic song. 'We shall Overcome Someday' (हम होंगे कामयाब एक दिन - in Hindi) is not saying much.
It was originally written by Rev. Charles Tindley, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was used as protest song during US civil rights movement. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and U.S. Senator for New York Robert F. Kennedy used it while leading the anti-apartheid crowds in Africa.
The website http://www.songsforteaching.com/positiveattitudes.htm has lots of 'Songs That Build Positive Attitudes and Self-Esteem', appropriate for schools.
Just a few for sample -
What a Wonderful World
by Louis Armstrong
I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom, for me and for you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue, clouds of white
Bright blessed days, dark sacred nights
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.
The colors of a rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands, saying how do you do
They’re really saying, I love you.
I hear babies cry, I watch them grow
They’ll learn much more than I’ll never know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
A Bright Tomorrow
by Laszlo Slomovits
Painting a bright tomorrow begins here today.
I get to choose the colors, I get to have my say,
By how I think today.
I can think in the very best way.
I get to choose every day.
My mind is like a brush, I paint with each thought.
If I don’t like the way things look, I look at the paints I brought
And think a different way.
I can think in the very best way.
I get to choose every day.
Yesterday is done, there’s no way I can change it.
Tomorrow’s not yet here, but I can pre-arrange it
By how I live today.
I can think in the very best way.
I get to choose every day.
If I don’t like a color I chose, I can create another shade.
I can just paint over it again and again, till I am happy with what I made.
It’s all in how I choose to look, it’s all in how I choose to feel.
The cup may look half empty, but half full is just as real.
I choose to see the world, filled with love and grace.
I choose to see myself, in the perfect time and place
By how I think today.
I can think in the very best way.
I get to choose every day.
So, painting a bright tomorrow, begins here today.
I get to choose the colors, I get to have my say
By how I think today, by how I act today,
By how I live today.
I can think in the very best way.
I get to choose every day.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thought for the day
Thought for the day
I appreciate my friend Geetha Gopinath who sends me ‘thought for the day’ almost everyday. Some days her message is the first one I get in the morning.
Here are a few latest ones –
20.07.2010 - Good plan of today is better than a great plan of tomorrow. Look backwards with satisfaction and look forward with confidence.
19.07.2010 - Not all fingers are same in length, but when they are bent all stands equal. Life becomes easy when we bend and adjust in any situation.
18.07.2010 - Graham Bell, the man who invented the phone never made a call to his family because his wife and daughter were deaf. Life is more than just living for ourselves.
Lately, working on being open-minded, I feel happy I am able to relate to these as relevant to me and take every message to be directed towards improving me.
Thank you Geetha for your service.
I appreciate my friend Geetha Gopinath who sends me ‘thought for the day’ almost everyday. Some days her message is the first one I get in the morning.
Here are a few latest ones –
20.07.2010 - Good plan of today is better than a great plan of tomorrow. Look backwards with satisfaction and look forward with confidence.
19.07.2010 - Not all fingers are same in length, but when they are bent all stands equal. Life becomes easy when we bend and adjust in any situation.
18.07.2010 - Graham Bell, the man who invented the phone never made a call to his family because his wife and daughter were deaf. Life is more than just living for ourselves.
Lately, working on being open-minded, I feel happy I am able to relate to these as relevant to me and take every message to be directed towards improving me.
Thank you Geetha for your service.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Deepam - the lamp oil
I saw the advertisement on TV for Deepam – the lamp oil. I thought it was a novel idea.
I like the God’s room smell of flowers, incense and camphor. In the 60s, my mother used to light an agarbathi called Sugandha Sringar. It was thick and long lasting. To me that smell represented my mother. Wherever I may be that smell used to transport me to the God’s room in my mother’s house. The brand has been discontinued and not available anymore.
Lately I have been disappointed with the quality of the incense sticks available in the market. I have tried quite a few. They give out lot of smoke and drop lot of ashes, but not emit enough perfume to linger in the house.
I may find some agarbathies smell nice in other’s house but they never satisfied me ones brought home. Finally I gave up lighting agarbathi all together.
This commercial for Deepam lamp oil really impressed me. The idea of a lighted oil lamp giving out the divine smell (two-in-one) appealed to me greatly. (www.divinityproducts.net)
Yesterday when I went to buy my groceries in the neighbourhood shop, quite by accident I saw a bottle of the oil on the counter. I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to go home to try out the oil.
I opened the bottle; it smelled so good. I read the ingredients list and was amazed to see how much thought has gone into preparing the oil mixture. I added the oil and lighted the lamp. It didn’t give out a whole lot of perfume, but somehow the thought that I have used this oil made me feel good. I expect using it for a few more days would permeate the room with the smell of the perfumery compound used in the oil.
When you are happy with something you just don’t give up; you have faith in it and expect it to work.
The smell of the oil that I had rubbed in the back of my hand lingered for long time and made me feel so happy.
I like the God’s room smell of flowers, incense and camphor. In the 60s, my mother used to light an agarbathi called Sugandha Sringar. It was thick and long lasting. To me that smell represented my mother. Wherever I may be that smell used to transport me to the God’s room in my mother’s house. The brand has been discontinued and not available anymore.
Lately I have been disappointed with the quality of the incense sticks available in the market. I have tried quite a few. They give out lot of smoke and drop lot of ashes, but not emit enough perfume to linger in the house.
I may find some agarbathies smell nice in other’s house but they never satisfied me ones brought home. Finally I gave up lighting agarbathi all together.
This commercial for Deepam lamp oil really impressed me. The idea of a lighted oil lamp giving out the divine smell (two-in-one) appealed to me greatly. (www.divinityproducts.net)
Yesterday when I went to buy my groceries in the neighbourhood shop, quite by accident I saw a bottle of the oil on the counter. I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to go home to try out the oil.
I opened the bottle; it smelled so good. I read the ingredients list and was amazed to see how much thought has gone into preparing the oil mixture. I added the oil and lighted the lamp. It didn’t give out a whole lot of perfume, but somehow the thought that I have used this oil made me feel good. I expect using it for a few more days would permeate the room with the smell of the perfumery compound used in the oil.
When you are happy with something you just don’t give up; you have faith in it and expect it to work.
The smell of the oil that I had rubbed in the back of my hand lingered for long time and made me feel so happy.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
வார்த்தை ஜாலம்
மங்கையர் மலரில் இந்த ஜோக் படித்தேன். ரொம்ப ரசித்தேன். எழுதியவரின் சாமர்த்தியத்தை வெகுவாக பாராட்ட முடிந்தது. எனக்கும் இப்படி எழுத வேண்டும் போல ஆசையாக இருக்கிறது.
மனைவி - உங்கள் அம்மா சொல்வதை கேளுங்கள்.
கணவன் - உனக்கு கோபம் வராதா?
மனைவி - அம்மா சொல்வதை கேளுங்கள், நான் சொல்வதை செய்யுங்கள்.
மனைவி - உங்கள் அம்மா சொல்வதை கேளுங்கள்.
கணவன் - உனக்கு கோபம் வராதா?
மனைவி - அம்மா சொல்வதை கேளுங்கள், நான் சொல்வதை செய்யுங்கள்.
For the love of God
For the love of God
In Vipasana meditation the teacher Mr.Goenka told us the history of how he came to learn the Buddhist meditation. When he was suffering with an incurable migraine headache, at a friend's suggestion he went looking for the small sect of people practicing this form of meditation in Burma. When he told the guru that he has come in search of him to get cured of his headache, the guru refused to teach him, as it is not for treating any health problem but to achieve the highest goal of liberation from the cycle of birth & death.
Today while listening to Vellukudi it made sense to me. All these years while visiting temples or praying to God I have never asked for any favours from God.
Today I realized that he is just waiting for me to ask. I asked for his love and help to believe in him and have faith in him and to constantly be aware of him and do everything for the love of God.
In Vipasana meditation the teacher Mr.Goenka told us the history of how he came to learn the Buddhist meditation. When he was suffering with an incurable migraine headache, at a friend's suggestion he went looking for the small sect of people practicing this form of meditation in Burma. When he told the guru that he has come in search of him to get cured of his headache, the guru refused to teach him, as it is not for treating any health problem but to achieve the highest goal of liberation from the cycle of birth & death.
Today while listening to Vellukudi it made sense to me. All these years while visiting temples or praying to God I have never asked for any favours from God.
Today I realized that he is just waiting for me to ask. I asked for his love and help to believe in him and have faith in him and to constantly be aware of him and do everything for the love of God.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Responsible Care
To
The Editor
The Hindu
I was flabbergasted to read Karthik Subramanian’s review of the tamil movie ‘Kalavaani’ (the thief) in the Friday Review of the Hindu dated 2nd June, the day after I saw the movie. Having nothing to do on a rainy day afternoon in a hill station, we went to the only theater in town that happened to be screening Kalavaani. There were 5 other boys besides the 3 of us in a theater that can hold 400 people.
When the movie started with the slide ‘Drinking and smoking is injurious to health’ gave away the main activity of the ‘hero’. We couldn’t sit after the first 20 minutes. The reason we stayed for nearly an hour is only because we wanted to give enough time for the taxi driver who took us to the theater to enjoy his 10-year-old daughter’s birthday celebration that evening. We also hoped the movie might get better. Reading in the review - ‘Most importantly, and more realistically, the `Kalavaani' never reforms’ – we are glad we didn’t stay longer.
The story is about a vagabond son who blackmails his mother to part with the money his father, a labourer from Dubai, sends every month. He hangs out with his friends at bars, makes moves on every girl he sees and leads a carefree life. He and his brat-pack pull non-stop pranks on the local Panchayat (keep the audience in splits!!?? – oh, please) and pick up fights with any one they possibly can. The good for nothing ‘hero’ falls in love with the local schoolgirl and works on her to make her fall in love with him.
I can’t understand how the reviewer can call this - ‘a heart-warming tale’, ‘worthy addition to the catalogue of neat entertainers', ‘a winner’ etc.
I agree that the lead pair Vimal and Oviya live their characters so well that it made me want to slap them hard to bring them to their senses.
How does Karthik Subramanian rate this as ‘Fun family entertainer’? Would anybody in their right mind, like their son or daughter to learn the 'ideal values' from the lead pair and follow their examples and be able find it funny and laugh?
Please be responsible. I told as many people as possible not to trust The Hindu review of the movie.
The Editor
The Hindu
I was flabbergasted to read Karthik Subramanian’s review of the tamil movie ‘Kalavaani’ (the thief) in the Friday Review of the Hindu dated 2nd June, the day after I saw the movie. Having nothing to do on a rainy day afternoon in a hill station, we went to the only theater in town that happened to be screening Kalavaani. There were 5 other boys besides the 3 of us in a theater that can hold 400 people.
When the movie started with the slide ‘Drinking and smoking is injurious to health’ gave away the main activity of the ‘hero’. We couldn’t sit after the first 20 minutes. The reason we stayed for nearly an hour is only because we wanted to give enough time for the taxi driver who took us to the theater to enjoy his 10-year-old daughter’s birthday celebration that evening. We also hoped the movie might get better. Reading in the review - ‘Most importantly, and more realistically, the `Kalavaani' never reforms’ – we are glad we didn’t stay longer.
The story is about a vagabond son who blackmails his mother to part with the money his father, a labourer from Dubai, sends every month. He hangs out with his friends at bars, makes moves on every girl he sees and leads a carefree life. He and his brat-pack pull non-stop pranks on the local Panchayat (keep the audience in splits!!?? – oh, please) and pick up fights with any one they possibly can. The good for nothing ‘hero’ falls in love with the local schoolgirl and works on her to make her fall in love with him.
I can’t understand how the reviewer can call this - ‘a heart-warming tale’, ‘worthy addition to the catalogue of neat entertainers', ‘a winner’ etc.
I agree that the lead pair Vimal and Oviya live their characters so well that it made me want to slap them hard to bring them to their senses.
How does Karthik Subramanian rate this as ‘Fun family entertainer’? Would anybody in their right mind, like their son or daughter to learn the 'ideal values' from the lead pair and follow their examples and be able find it funny and laugh?
Please be responsible. I told as many people as possible not to trust The Hindu review of the movie.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The 'Sorry' speech
Felt so sad to see former Prime Minister of Australia Mr.Kevin Rudd sitting on the backbench during the House of Representatives question time at Parliament House in Canberra.
Kevin Rudd's ‘sorry' speech in Parliament in 2008, addressing the indigenous people of Australia, for the ‘stolen generation’ is the best speech I have ever heard.
I know he had a good speech writer, but i felt he said it with feeling.
I read it one more time today.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/13/1202760379056.html
I respect him just for that one action.
Kevin Rudd's ‘sorry' speech in Parliament in 2008, addressing the indigenous people of Australia, for the ‘stolen generation’ is the best speech I have ever heard.
I know he had a good speech writer, but i felt he said it with feeling.
I read it one more time today.
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2008/02/13/1202760379056.html
I respect him just for that one action.
Friday, June 18, 2010
கடி ஜோக்ஸ்
எனக்கு கடி ஜோக்ஸ் பிடிக்கும். சிலரது மூளை எப்படி இது போல செயல் படுகிறது என்று ஆச்சரிய படுவேன். உதாரணத்திற்கு இதோ சில -
தயிர் ஏன் வெள்ளையாய் இருக்கு?
தோய்கிறதாலே!
காகம் ஏன் தண்ணீரில் மூழ்குவதில்லை?
அது கரையுமே!
குற்றாலம் அருவியை பற்றிய செய்தி எதையும் நம்பாதே.
ஏன் அப்படி?
அது பால்ஸ் நியூஸ் ஆச்சே!!
எனக்கும் தான் தயிர் தோய்க்கவேண்டும், காகம் கரையும், குற்றாலம் பால்ஸ் என்று தெரியும், ஆனால் என்னால் இப்படி ஒரு கடி ஜோக் கூட உருவாக்க முடியவில்லையே. இதற்கும் 3 - D pictures பார்க்க கற்றுக்கொள்வது போல பழகிக்கொள்ளவேண்டுமோ?
தயிர் ஏன் வெள்ளையாய் இருக்கு?
தோய்கிறதாலே!
காகம் ஏன் தண்ணீரில் மூழ்குவதில்லை?
அது கரையுமே!
குற்றாலம் அருவியை பற்றிய செய்தி எதையும் நம்பாதே.
ஏன் அப்படி?
அது பால்ஸ் நியூஸ் ஆச்சே!!
எனக்கும் தான் தயிர் தோய்க்கவேண்டும், காகம் கரையும், குற்றாலம் பால்ஸ் என்று தெரியும், ஆனால் என்னால் இப்படி ஒரு கடி ஜோக் கூட உருவாக்க முடியவில்லையே. இதற்கும் 3 - D pictures பார்க்க கற்றுக்கொள்வது போல பழகிக்கொள்ளவேண்டுமோ?
Happiness is doing a job well
Happiness is doing a job well
“I always strive to complete a job given to me in a way that satisfies me. The word ‘happiness’ in relation to completing a job to my satisfaction to date had never crossed my mind, but you have helped me find this word ‘Happiness’ even whilst doing a ‘routine’ or ‘mundane’ job and I am glad you helped me find it.”
– This is what our Company Secretary Rita Malgaonkar wrote in response to my statement “Happiness is doing a job well”.
This comment by Rita made me think this morning. With me there is nothing like a ‘mundane’, ‘routine’ job and as for us I know I do not have a different standard for the so-called ‘mundane’, ‘routine’ job.
If ‘mundane’, ‘routine’ job means the repetitive work of the everyday activity of making the bed, washing dishes & cloths, cleaning the house and tidying the cupboards, I do have my own standard for doing these too and I follow it meticulously for my own satisfaction.
I have observed the ways of doing various activities of people in my life, like my parents, family, friends and so many people I come across and developed a working style all of my own.
(Everyday I remember my sister Kala, while folding my petticoat and my mother when I put away my clothes in the cupboard. When I put off doing the routine, I often think of my neighbour in Scottsdale Mrs. Lethy (1970 – 77) who maintained her garden patch next to our common picket fence so meticulously that it never looked as if it needed tending. I haven’t forgotten my friend Mrs. Baliga, of a long long time ago (1962 - 64), who used to make Poli, chakli and laddu so perfectly, evenly shaped.)
For me the adage ‘if a job has to be done, it has to be done well’ holds true for whatever I do. If I take up a job I can’t do it with an attitude that this much attention to details is enough for this job.
This might create a certain amount of tension and stress in me. I can live with it but not the unhappy feeling and dissatisfaction of having done a shoddy job.
I know I have to work on this aspect of me to be equipoised after the event. Though it is acceptable to be happy when the result turns out good and accept it as a reward for efforts put in, I have to learn not to get overly agitated when it doesn’t turn out as expected. I should overcome the feeling that my ‘shortcoming’ is visible for all to see, in my creations.
“I always strive to complete a job given to me in a way that satisfies me. The word ‘happiness’ in relation to completing a job to my satisfaction to date had never crossed my mind, but you have helped me find this word ‘Happiness’ even whilst doing a ‘routine’ or ‘mundane’ job and I am glad you helped me find it.”
– This is what our Company Secretary Rita Malgaonkar wrote in response to my statement “Happiness is doing a job well”.
This comment by Rita made me think this morning. With me there is nothing like a ‘mundane’, ‘routine’ job and as for us I know I do not have a different standard for the so-called ‘mundane’, ‘routine’ job.
If ‘mundane’, ‘routine’ job means the repetitive work of the everyday activity of making the bed, washing dishes & cloths, cleaning the house and tidying the cupboards, I do have my own standard for doing these too and I follow it meticulously for my own satisfaction.
I have observed the ways of doing various activities of people in my life, like my parents, family, friends and so many people I come across and developed a working style all of my own.
(Everyday I remember my sister Kala, while folding my petticoat and my mother when I put away my clothes in the cupboard. When I put off doing the routine, I often think of my neighbour in Scottsdale Mrs. Lethy (1970 – 77) who maintained her garden patch next to our common picket fence so meticulously that it never looked as if it needed tending. I haven’t forgotten my friend Mrs. Baliga, of a long long time ago (1962 - 64), who used to make Poli, chakli and laddu so perfectly, evenly shaped.)
For me the adage ‘if a job has to be done, it has to be done well’ holds true for whatever I do. If I take up a job I can’t do it with an attitude that this much attention to details is enough for this job.
This might create a certain amount of tension and stress in me. I can live with it but not the unhappy feeling and dissatisfaction of having done a shoddy job.
I know I have to work on this aspect of me to be equipoised after the event. Though it is acceptable to be happy when the result turns out good and accept it as a reward for efforts put in, I have to learn not to get overly agitated when it doesn’t turn out as expected. I should overcome the feeling that my ‘shortcoming’ is visible for all to see, in my creations.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
A satisfying work assignment
A satisfying work assignment
For the past one month, I have been working on our Companies’ Annual Reports.
This job was not assigned to me. I wasn’t asked to do it. Nobody thought it needed to be improved upon. I only heard excuses that ‘Everybody is only doing it this way’ or ‘This is enough, as it is going to be thrown away’, ‘Don’t want to spend more on it’, ‘ why do you create work for yourself’, etc.
I have been talking about it for the past two years. I felt the very basic way we are doing the Company’s Annual Report is not appropriate for a Company of our standing in the business world; we need to project it a bit better to show we are proud of who we are; we need to create an image of quality at this level too. I argued that this is a great medium to show our shareholders that we care and it can be a Brand building activity too.
This year, with self-motivation, I gingerly started to do it for Thirumalai. Worked on a theme and got the cover page designed with the help of my friend Ramanan of Ram Creative Chambers. I was asked to do for Ultramarine too as the Company is completing 50 years since inception. Identifying a theme and the cover design to mean what we want to project was challenging, but feel so happy that it has come out well.
There is very little I can do with the content of the Report, and general format as it is all done in the prescribed format as per statutory requirement.
I started mainly on the layout and some standardizing. There again I was not sure I can change the way they have said like in ‘As on’, ‘As at’, ‘The period ended’, ‘The year ended’ etc. to mean the same thing. These and few others should have been corrected in the Accounts stage itself. People working year in and year out in these do not notice anything odd in these. I did a whole lot of corrections – mostly very minor, some insignificant that it will not mater at all in the final analysis. I was against using ALL CAPS.
Since Ultramarine’s AGM is earlier than Thirumalai’s I worked last weekend on UPL's report. On Sunday afternoon after completing the work, I felt very happy and very proud of myself. With confidence in my capability I am ready to do Thirumalai’s report.
I always remember this when I do any job - A man was doing a sculpture of Ganesha to be placed on top of the Gopuram in a temple. He was working so meticulously to make the back of the image so perfectly smooth. A person watching him asked, why he is spending so much time doing the thing that is not going to be seen by anybody. The man replied I know if I haven’t done a good job of it.
It is not who would notice or who cares - Happiness is doing a job well.
For the past one month, I have been working on our Companies’ Annual Reports.
This job was not assigned to me. I wasn’t asked to do it. Nobody thought it needed to be improved upon. I only heard excuses that ‘Everybody is only doing it this way’ or ‘This is enough, as it is going to be thrown away’, ‘Don’t want to spend more on it’, ‘ why do you create work for yourself’, etc.
I have been talking about it for the past two years. I felt the very basic way we are doing the Company’s Annual Report is not appropriate for a Company of our standing in the business world; we need to project it a bit better to show we are proud of who we are; we need to create an image of quality at this level too. I argued that this is a great medium to show our shareholders that we care and it can be a Brand building activity too.
This year, with self-motivation, I gingerly started to do it for Thirumalai. Worked on a theme and got the cover page designed with the help of my friend Ramanan of Ram Creative Chambers. I was asked to do for Ultramarine too as the Company is completing 50 years since inception. Identifying a theme and the cover design to mean what we want to project was challenging, but feel so happy that it has come out well.
There is very little I can do with the content of the Report, and general format as it is all done in the prescribed format as per statutory requirement.
I started mainly on the layout and some standardizing. There again I was not sure I can change the way they have said like in ‘As on’, ‘As at’, ‘The period ended’, ‘The year ended’ etc. to mean the same thing. These and few others should have been corrected in the Accounts stage itself. People working year in and year out in these do not notice anything odd in these. I did a whole lot of corrections – mostly very minor, some insignificant that it will not mater at all in the final analysis. I was against using ALL CAPS.
Since Ultramarine’s AGM is earlier than Thirumalai’s I worked last weekend on UPL's report. On Sunday afternoon after completing the work, I felt very happy and very proud of myself. With confidence in my capability I am ready to do Thirumalai’s report.
I always remember this when I do any job - A man was doing a sculpture of Ganesha to be placed on top of the Gopuram in a temple. He was working so meticulously to make the back of the image so perfectly smooth. A person watching him asked, why he is spending so much time doing the thing that is not going to be seen by anybody. The man replied I know if I haven’t done a good job of it.
It is not who would notice or who cares - Happiness is doing a job well.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Just driving to work
Just driving to work
I drive very little. Everyday it is just the 10-minute drive to work and back, and on Sundays it to the weekly vegetable market.
The distance to work is not a 10-minute drive, but it takes 10 minutes for me to reach the factory. It is only a two-lane highway. The first hurdle is getting into the main road from the quarters where I live. At 8.20 a.m. it is the busiest time as the school, college and factory buses all ply at this time. And the office goers in two-wheelers also race against time to reach their work place before 8.30.
We have our Vedavalli Vidyalaya school bus stop on the left of the driveway. On the right most of the time there would be a lorry parked of a transport company next door, blocking my view of the on-coming traffic from that side. On both sides of the driveway children, parents and teachers wait for the school bus to arrive. Some parents come to drop their children by two-wheelers and cars and stop right in front of the driveway.
The entry to the road from the driveway is at a slight elevation. Getting up and waiting for a clearance in the road is the first step. And then I look on all the sides for the right opportunity to enter into the road. Most of the time I would wonder did I see that cycle coming, or the person about to cross the road? Would the two-wheeler slow down enough for me to make it across the road?
After about 200 meters there is a T-junction to the right. Just at the junction there are public transport bus stops on either side of the road. Pedestrians – young, old, disabled - would be crossing where there is no such thing as a pedestrian crossing and the pedestrians have no right of way. There would also be a cow, a calf and few stray dogs crossing with the cars, two-wheelers and cyclist entering the main road from the T-junction, where everybody has the ‘Right of way’!! You can imagine the confusion.
From both the sides drivers try to use the available space between the parked buses and the aggressive ones, who have their headlights on usually push through. This practise of turning the headlights on during the day is to indicate to the road user that 'I am going to use your side of the road, you better move away', is unique to India. And the two-wheelers, unafraid, over take very close to me on the right and left.
The famous Mario Miranda, the cartoonist of the Illustrated Weekly of India would be able to do this junction with full satisfaction.
After I get through this hurdle, and drive further with the vans (taking the girls to work in the shoe companies) chasing me with their incessant ‘give way, give way, I am in a hurry’ horn, within the next 500 meters, is the most dangerous intersection. The main road turns left. But I have to take the straight road, cutting across the main road traffic.
Again there are public transport bus stops on either side of the road just at that junction. Sometimes there is absolutely no visibility of the oncoming vehicles. When I wait, others over take me on either side. After that when I cautiously cross, avoiding the people alighting from the bus crossing the road diagonally, maneuvering the sudden dip in the road between the main road and the service road (the main road gets more topping and hence at a higher level) go over the four speed breakers (they are for slowing down the vehicles entering the highway) and then I shift to 3rd gear and relax a little bit letting whoever wants to overtake me.
Today I was pretty relaxed driving down to work and was able to just observe all these and accept it as a way of life in India. The meditation I have been practicing for the past couple of months really helps.
I drive very little. Everyday it is just the 10-minute drive to work and back, and on Sundays it to the weekly vegetable market.
The distance to work is not a 10-minute drive, but it takes 10 minutes for me to reach the factory. It is only a two-lane highway. The first hurdle is getting into the main road from the quarters where I live. At 8.20 a.m. it is the busiest time as the school, college and factory buses all ply at this time. And the office goers in two-wheelers also race against time to reach their work place before 8.30.
We have our Vedavalli Vidyalaya school bus stop on the left of the driveway. On the right most of the time there would be a lorry parked of a transport company next door, blocking my view of the on-coming traffic from that side. On both sides of the driveway children, parents and teachers wait for the school bus to arrive. Some parents come to drop their children by two-wheelers and cars and stop right in front of the driveway.
The entry to the road from the driveway is at a slight elevation. Getting up and waiting for a clearance in the road is the first step. And then I look on all the sides for the right opportunity to enter into the road. Most of the time I would wonder did I see that cycle coming, or the person about to cross the road? Would the two-wheeler slow down enough for me to make it across the road?
After about 200 meters there is a T-junction to the right. Just at the junction there are public transport bus stops on either side of the road. Pedestrians – young, old, disabled - would be crossing where there is no such thing as a pedestrian crossing and the pedestrians have no right of way. There would also be a cow, a calf and few stray dogs crossing with the cars, two-wheelers and cyclist entering the main road from the T-junction, where everybody has the ‘Right of way’!! You can imagine the confusion.
From both the sides drivers try to use the available space between the parked buses and the aggressive ones, who have their headlights on usually push through. This practise of turning the headlights on during the day is to indicate to the road user that 'I am going to use your side of the road, you better move away', is unique to India. And the two-wheelers, unafraid, over take very close to me on the right and left.
The famous Mario Miranda, the cartoonist of the Illustrated Weekly of India would be able to do this junction with full satisfaction.
After I get through this hurdle, and drive further with the vans (taking the girls to work in the shoe companies) chasing me with their incessant ‘give way, give way, I am in a hurry’ horn, within the next 500 meters, is the most dangerous intersection. The main road turns left. But I have to take the straight road, cutting across the main road traffic.
Again there are public transport bus stops on either side of the road just at that junction. Sometimes there is absolutely no visibility of the oncoming vehicles. When I wait, others over take me on either side. After that when I cautiously cross, avoiding the people alighting from the bus crossing the road diagonally, maneuvering the sudden dip in the road between the main road and the service road (the main road gets more topping and hence at a higher level) go over the four speed breakers (they are for slowing down the vehicles entering the highway) and then I shift to 3rd gear and relax a little bit letting whoever wants to overtake me.
Today I was pretty relaxed driving down to work and was able to just observe all these and accept it as a way of life in India. The meditation I have been practicing for the past couple of months really helps.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
வரம் தா இறைவா
வரம் தா இறைவா
காலை என்னை எழுப்பும் அலார கடிகாரமாய் பறவைகள் ஒருசேர எழுப்பும் கீதங்கள்
எழுந்ததும் பலகணி கதவை திறக்கையில் என்னை ஸ்பரிசிக்கும் காற்று
கடவுள் முன் ஏற்றிய குத்துவிளக்கின் முத்துப்போன்ற சுடர்
அமர்ந்து தியானிக்கும் போது ஏற்படும் அமைதி
வீரியத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்த போல சுற்றி வட்டமிட்ட இளம் காலை சூரியன்
எங்கிருந்தோ காற்றில் கலந்து வரும் ஜாதி மல்லிகை அல்லது பாரிஜாதப்பூ வாசம்
எதேச்சையாய் சில நேரங்களில் கண்ணில் படும் கிளி அல்லது மீன்கொத்தி பறவை
வாலை மேலே தூக்கிக்கொண்டு ஏதோ சொல்ல வருவது போல கிட்ட வந்து நின்று பார்த்துவிட்டு திரும்பிப்போகும் அணில்
வாசலில் பளிச்சென்று கச்சிதமாக அமைந்த அன்றைய சிறு கோலம்
தட்டில் அலங்கரித்து கடவுள் முன் வைத்த அன்று குவளை போல மலர்ந்த சிவந்த குல்மோகர் பூக்கள்
வாத்சல்யமும் அன்பும் கனிவும் குழைத்து கலந்த கன்றுக்குட்டியின் கண்கள்
எல்லாவிதமான சுமுகமான உறவுமுறைகளிலும் வெளிப்படும் அன்யோன்யம்
சுட்டெரிக்கும் வெய்யிலில் காற்று வீச சல சலக்கும் அரசமரத்து இலைகள்
சுருள் சுருளாய் கொத்துக்கொத்தாய் இலைகளுடன் பறந்து விரிந்து நிழல் தர நிற்கும் வேப்ப மரம்
எங்கும் நீலமாய் அல்லது சிறு சிறு பஞ்சுப்பொதி போன்ற மேக கூட்டமுடன் அல்லது மழை பொழிய தயாராகும் கருத்த மேகங்களுடனான வானம்
ஆரஞ்சு வண்ணத்தில் பார்த்துகொண்டே இருக்கத்தூண்டும் மெதுவாய் கீழ்வானத்தில் அஸ்தமிக்கும் சூரியன்
கூட்டம் கூட்டமாக வீடு நோக்கி பறந்து செல்லும் மாலை நேரத்து பறவைகள்
இரவில் மொட்டை மாடியில் மல்லாந்து படுக்கையில் தெரியும் தினம் தினம் உருமாரி வரும் நிலா
ஒரே சீராக அழகாக, கவிதையாய் ஒருமித்து செல்லும் என் சிந்தனை
இவைகளை பார்த்து, ரசித்து, உணரும்போது நான் அனுபவிக்கும் இன்பம், ஆனந்தம், உவகை, உத்வேகம் இவை எல்லாம் என்னுள்ளிலிருந்து தான் வந்தது என்பதை மறவாதிருக்க வரம் தா இறைவா.
காலை என்னை எழுப்பும் அலார கடிகாரமாய் பறவைகள் ஒருசேர எழுப்பும் கீதங்கள்
எழுந்ததும் பலகணி கதவை திறக்கையில் என்னை ஸ்பரிசிக்கும் காற்று
கடவுள் முன் ஏற்றிய குத்துவிளக்கின் முத்துப்போன்ற சுடர்
அமர்ந்து தியானிக்கும் போது ஏற்படும் அமைதி
வீரியத்தை கட்டுப்படுத்த போல சுற்றி வட்டமிட்ட இளம் காலை சூரியன்
எங்கிருந்தோ காற்றில் கலந்து வரும் ஜாதி மல்லிகை அல்லது பாரிஜாதப்பூ வாசம்
எதேச்சையாய் சில நேரங்களில் கண்ணில் படும் கிளி அல்லது மீன்கொத்தி பறவை
வாலை மேலே தூக்கிக்கொண்டு ஏதோ சொல்ல வருவது போல கிட்ட வந்து நின்று பார்த்துவிட்டு திரும்பிப்போகும் அணில்
வாசலில் பளிச்சென்று கச்சிதமாக அமைந்த அன்றைய சிறு கோலம்
தட்டில் அலங்கரித்து கடவுள் முன் வைத்த அன்று குவளை போல மலர்ந்த சிவந்த குல்மோகர் பூக்கள்
வாத்சல்யமும் அன்பும் கனிவும் குழைத்து கலந்த கன்றுக்குட்டியின் கண்கள்
எல்லாவிதமான சுமுகமான உறவுமுறைகளிலும் வெளிப்படும் அன்யோன்யம்
சுட்டெரிக்கும் வெய்யிலில் காற்று வீச சல சலக்கும் அரசமரத்து இலைகள்
சுருள் சுருளாய் கொத்துக்கொத்தாய் இலைகளுடன் பறந்து விரிந்து நிழல் தர நிற்கும் வேப்ப மரம்
எங்கும் நீலமாய் அல்லது சிறு சிறு பஞ்சுப்பொதி போன்ற மேக கூட்டமுடன் அல்லது மழை பொழிய தயாராகும் கருத்த மேகங்களுடனான வானம்
ஆரஞ்சு வண்ணத்தில் பார்த்துகொண்டே இருக்கத்தூண்டும் மெதுவாய் கீழ்வானத்தில் அஸ்தமிக்கும் சூரியன்
கூட்டம் கூட்டமாக வீடு நோக்கி பறந்து செல்லும் மாலை நேரத்து பறவைகள்
இரவில் மொட்டை மாடியில் மல்லாந்து படுக்கையில் தெரியும் தினம் தினம் உருமாரி வரும் நிலா
ஒரே சீராக அழகாக, கவிதையாய் ஒருமித்து செல்லும் என் சிந்தனை
இவைகளை பார்த்து, ரசித்து, உணரும்போது நான் அனுபவிக்கும் இன்பம், ஆனந்தம், உவகை, உத்வேகம் இவை எல்லாம் என்னுள்ளிலிருந்து தான் வந்தது என்பதை மறவாதிருக்க வரம் தா இறைவா.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Playing with words
மங்கையர் மலரில் இந்த ஜோக் படித்தேன். மிகவும் ரசித்தேன். எழுதியவரின் சாமர்த்தியத்தை வெகுவாக பாராட்ட முடிந்தது. எனக்கும் இப்படி எழுத வேண்டும் போல ரொம்ப ஆசையாக இருக்கிறது
மனைவி - உங்கள் அம்மா சொல்வதை கேளுங்கள்.
கணவன் - உனக்கு கோபம் வராதா?
மனைவி - அம்மா சொல்வதை கேளுங்கள், நான் சொல்வதை செய்யுங்கள்.
Practicing a day of silence
Practicing a Day of Silence
For me the mechanics of practicing silence is easy, as I live alone and nobody visits me on a regular basis, expect a servant lady. I do not get many phone calls either. I am able to easily resist picking up the phone when it rings occasionally. I am completely isolated.
But it is quite obvious that the silence of ‘non-thinking’ and quieting of the chattering mind is an entirely different process all together unconnected with not talking.
Not talking, and being in the habit of having my morning - evening walks up in the terrace gives me lot of time to live with myself and follow my thoughts. That has really brought some awareness about my unique way of thinking. I have discovered the answers to some of the dilemma I have been perplexed with. Listening silently to my own heart, my mind has quitened down and I am comfortable with my thoughts!!
As I have been out of the habit of cooking for a number of years, on the days of being by myself, I am able to get by (actually I enjoy) eating fruits, milk and bread (sometimes with cheese). This gives rest to my digestive system too. Avoiding watching TV or reading anything heavy gives me plenty of time to do nothing. Even though I can sleep for as long as I like, the sleeping pattern developed over the years doesn’t change. Not doing anything I am not tired. Not having a full meal I don’t get that drowsy feeling I get on the Sunday after lunch. So the time drags. The day seems too long.
But I have learnt to just be. I am not feeling I have to do something. Not pressed for time I am able to meditate in a relaxed way. I have started enjoying the process and look forward to it each time. After the morning meditation, when I go up to the terrace with a cup of coffee, when it is just getting a little light in the east, I feel so happy and contented, as if there is nothing more to be had in life.
Though I have always enjoyed talking, after practicing silence for 5 Saturdays, I feel very comfortable not talking; now I understand I do not have to talk so much. I need to extend this awareness to other times when I am with people!!
As the next step, I plan to be consciously silent for a while each day, while everyone else around me carries on with their conversation.
For me the mechanics of practicing silence is easy, as I live alone and nobody visits me on a regular basis, expect a servant lady. I do not get many phone calls either. I am able to easily resist picking up the phone when it rings occasionally. I am completely isolated.
But it is quite obvious that the silence of ‘non-thinking’ and quieting of the chattering mind is an entirely different process all together unconnected with not talking.
Not talking, and being in the habit of having my morning - evening walks up in the terrace gives me lot of time to live with myself and follow my thoughts. That has really brought some awareness about my unique way of thinking. I have discovered the answers to some of the dilemma I have been perplexed with. Listening silently to my own heart, my mind has quitened down and I am comfortable with my thoughts!!
As I have been out of the habit of cooking for a number of years, on the days of being by myself, I am able to get by (actually I enjoy) eating fruits, milk and bread (sometimes with cheese). This gives rest to my digestive system too. Avoiding watching TV or reading anything heavy gives me plenty of time to do nothing. Even though I can sleep for as long as I like, the sleeping pattern developed over the years doesn’t change. Not doing anything I am not tired. Not having a full meal I don’t get that drowsy feeling I get on the Sunday after lunch. So the time drags. The day seems too long.
But I have learnt to just be. I am not feeling I have to do something. Not pressed for time I am able to meditate in a relaxed way. I have started enjoying the process and look forward to it each time. After the morning meditation, when I go up to the terrace with a cup of coffee, when it is just getting a little light in the east, I feel so happy and contented, as if there is nothing more to be had in life.
Though I have always enjoyed talking, after practicing silence for 5 Saturdays, I feel very comfortable not talking; now I understand I do not have to talk so much. I need to extend this awareness to other times when I am with people!!
As the next step, I plan to be consciously silent for a while each day, while everyone else around me carries on with their conversation.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
I, Me and Myself
I, Me and Myself
Yesterday when I got a reply for one of my mails, I was disappointed that the person hasn’t understood what I had written in my mail.
I started replying to that mail with, “From your response to my mail I feel you haven’t understood”. Then I realized my mistake and rephrased it to “I feel I haven't made myself clear”. I felt happy putting it that way, taking the responsibility for the missed communication.
Last week when Sridhar and I went out for dinner with Ramraj, I was annoyed that the person serving us wasn’t cheerful and didn’t seem very enthusiastic when he was taking the order. Neither Ramraj nor Sridhar noticed anything wrong. As usual I did comment on it to his face. Ramraj pointed out that the poor boy might have had a bad day already. I never looked at it from that angle. It was my expectation that a person in the service industry should have the right attitude to do the job well. Later I told the boy the food was good.
Last month when I confronted somebody in an agitated state of mind on an issue that emotionally affected me deeply, that person mistook the gist of it as an accusation of an entirely different nature and felt he had to defend himself.
It was my clear conscience that made me realize and accept how the person could have received it. It was easy for me to say, “Forgive me. I didn't mean to come through that way. It was not my intension. I am sorry”.
All these are different aspects of my behaviour under different circumstances. Knowing and recognizing and being aware that in any situation it is my expectation that is causing the emotional disturbance and correcting it right away without hesitation, makes me feel good about myself. Not feeling guilty for my behaviour makes me the master of myself, with the feeling that I am OK.
Yesterday when I got a reply for one of my mails, I was disappointed that the person hasn’t understood what I had written in my mail.
I started replying to that mail with, “From your response to my mail I feel you haven’t understood”. Then I realized my mistake and rephrased it to “I feel I haven't made myself clear”. I felt happy putting it that way, taking the responsibility for the missed communication.
Last week when Sridhar and I went out for dinner with Ramraj, I was annoyed that the person serving us wasn’t cheerful and didn’t seem very enthusiastic when he was taking the order. Neither Ramraj nor Sridhar noticed anything wrong. As usual I did comment on it to his face. Ramraj pointed out that the poor boy might have had a bad day already. I never looked at it from that angle. It was my expectation that a person in the service industry should have the right attitude to do the job well. Later I told the boy the food was good.
Last month when I confronted somebody in an agitated state of mind on an issue that emotionally affected me deeply, that person mistook the gist of it as an accusation of an entirely different nature and felt he had to defend himself.
It was my clear conscience that made me realize and accept how the person could have received it. It was easy for me to say, “Forgive me. I didn't mean to come through that way. It was not my intension. I am sorry”.
All these are different aspects of my behaviour under different circumstances. Knowing and recognizing and being aware that in any situation it is my expectation that is causing the emotional disturbance and correcting it right away without hesitation, makes me feel good about myself. Not feeling guilty for my behaviour makes me the master of myself, with the feeling that I am OK.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Better is possible
Better is possible
‘Work’ is a function of time spent, mental effort and judgement, technical skill and physical effort and stress.
I read this formula for ‘work’ in a book by Dr. Atul Gawande titled Better. It appeals to me greatly as it helps to evaluate work done by various professionals.
Dr. Gawande is a great storyteller. This is a book about failure: how it happens, how we learn from it, how we can do better. Although its focus is medicine, its message is for everybody.
He says, "Better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity and above all, it takes a willingness to try."
I am happy my brother Sarathy recommended and gave this book for me to read. I am impressed that he always knows what kind of books I would like.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
A Daily Prayer
A Daily Prayer
Prayer இல் பல விதங்கள் உண்டு. பெரும்பான்மையானவை பரம்பொருளை துதிப்பவனவாகவே இருக்கின்றன. கீதையில் இரண்டாவது அத்தியாயத்தில் அர்ஜுனன் கண்ணனிடம் பிரார்த்திக்கும் இந்த ஸ்லோகம் எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்தது. அட்சர பிழைக்கு மன்னிக்கவும்.
कार्पण्य दोषों उपहत स्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मं सम्मूट चेताः ।
यत श्रेयः स्यात निश्चितं ब्रूहि तत मे शिष्यः
ते अहम् शाधि माम त्वाम प्रपन्नम ॥
சுய பச்சாதாபம் என்ற கெட்டுப்போன ச்வபாவத்தினால், தர்மத்தை பற்றி குழப்பம் அடைந்த மனதுடையவனாய் உம்மை கேட்கிறேன், எனக்கு எது சிறந்தது இருக்கிறதோ அதை நிச்சியமாக சொல்லும். நான் உம்முடைய சிஷ்யன் உம்மை சரணடைகிறேன் எனக்கு உபதேசித்தருளும்.
My heart is oppressed with pity and my mind confused as to what my duty is. Therefore my Lord tell me what is best for my spiritual welfare, for I am Thy disciple. Please direct me I pray.
Prayer இல் பல விதங்கள் உண்டு. பெரும்பான்மையானவை பரம்பொருளை துதிப்பவனவாகவே இருக்கின்றன. கீதையில் இரண்டாவது அத்தியாயத்தில் அர்ஜுனன் கண்ணனிடம் பிரார்த்திக்கும் இந்த ஸ்லோகம் எனக்கு மிகவும் பிடித்தது. அட்சர பிழைக்கு மன்னிக்கவும்.
कार्पण्य दोषों उपहत स्वभावः पृच्छामि त्वां धर्मं सम्मूट चेताः ।
यत श्रेयः स्यात निश्चितं ब्रूहि तत मे शिष्यः
ते अहम् शाधि माम त्वाम प्रपन्नम ॥
சுய பச்சாதாபம் என்ற கெட்டுப்போன ச்வபாவத்தினால், தர்மத்தை பற்றி குழப்பம் அடைந்த மனதுடையவனாய் உம்மை கேட்கிறேன், எனக்கு எது சிறந்தது இருக்கிறதோ அதை நிச்சியமாக சொல்லும். நான் உம்முடைய சிஷ்யன் உம்மை சரணடைகிறேன் எனக்கு உபதேசித்தருளும்.
My heart is oppressed with pity and my mind confused as to what my duty is. Therefore my Lord tell me what is best for my spiritual welfare, for I am Thy disciple. Please direct me I pray.
Friday, May 21, 2010
What is my IQ?
What is my IQ?
Yesterday my friend Balaji sent me a math problem, with a clever way of proving that I figured it out.
He also added a note that ‘the people who forwarded it to me claim that only people with an IQ 120 and over are able to figure this out. Not sure, but it is a little tricky’.
Here is the problem - If:
2+3=10
7+2=63
6+5=66
8+4=96
Then:9+7=???
I tried for about 5 minutes; couldn’t figure out. But couldn’t let go and delete it either. Does it mean I do not have an IQ of over 120? Whatever that means, I can’t accept that and give up.
Just then I remembered the Social Science teacher Jeff Jennings of Scottsdale High (Scottsdale, Tasmania, Australia) with whom I worked for sometime. He would say, ‘it is not necessary for the children to memorise the capitals of all the countries around the world. It is enough if they know where to look it up when they need to know’. This was in the (19)70s.
I solved the puzzle and felt you can’t use the same old Mensa test (designed in 1946) to measure people’s IQ now. Things have changed so much.
Incidentally, the Social Science curriculum for the high school included two major topics that Mr. Jennings felt are relevant for the children of that remote ‘down under down under’ rural town.
1. How to get rescued if you get lost in the wilderness
2. What options you and your boy friend have if you got pregnant while you are both still in high school
Thursday, May 20, 2010
The awareness factor
The awareness factor
A person’s take on any situation depends upon his age, gender, profession / occupation, family background, experience in life etc.
I am happy Pradeep’s comment for The type of movies l like gives me the right opening to write about Consumer Awareness. He says he likes clean, wholesome movies like 'Quick Gun Murugan'. Incidentally Pradeep and I saw this one movie together. I was sitting next to him and I know he enjoyed it very much from the way he was laughing.
But I didn’t feel that way. I endured it for the great company I had. The movie is a spoof (which ridicules its subject).
The climax of the movie was very objectionable to me and I couldn’t understand how the Censor Board allowed it. Whether anybody else felt that way I haven’t heard. But surely I can’t be that unique!
I wrote about it to a Tamil Daily’s Sunday magazine, but they neither acknowledged nor published it. (That is also one of the reasons for starting a blog of my own, so that I can publish everything I write. I am working on collecting the readers.)
The story happens in Bombay. A restaurant owner develops a special kind of ‘masala dosa’. Wanting to make his business prosper he decides to destroy the Bombay ‘Dabbhawala’ (Real organization, not fictitious. Bombay Dabbhawalas are world famous for their Six Sigma quality standards.)
He carries out this unethical business practice by planting bombs in the tiffin carriers and placing it along with the Dabbhawala’s other genuine tiffin carriers.
The movie shows step-by-step procedure to perform a terrorist attack.
Shouldn’t we as consumers be aware of and object to such anti social themes / scenes in the movie?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Consumer awareness
Consumer awareness
I am happy to share with you all how as a consumer who cares I brought in the in-flight snack service in Kingfisher Red. Here are the exchange of mails. They are edited a great deal, just to convey the essence of it. In my mail I also appreciated them for all their good services. (originals available on request!!)
Subject: Kingfisher Airlines
Sent: Fri 10/10/2008 3:24 PM
To: King Club; Chairman (Chairman@flykingfisher.com)
Dear Sir,
Travelling by IT 3181 from Mumbai to Chennai I was terribly disappointed by the absence of normal in-flight service. I was told no in-flight service is provided in Kingfisher Red.
I have no idea there are two Classes of service in Kingfisher. It was not mentioned anywhere in my ticket or in my Boarding pass. Actually in my KIngfisher Red boarding pass it says Fly Five Star.
In the Chairman’s letter in Hi, Mr.Mallya says, "with Kingfisher Red service I am determined to prove that low fares do not mean low quality or poor service" and that "it will deliver on the same superior value promise that the Kingfisher Airlines band is known and loved for".
I am sorry to say Mr. Mallya that you promised more than you delivered and I felt it was unethical to withdraw a service without properly informing your customer.
Your valued Customer – Jaya
----- Original Message -----
From: Chairman@flykingfisher.com
To: Jaya
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 5:52 PM
Dear Mrs. Jaya,
Thank you for your email of 10 October, apprising me of your experience when you traveled IT 3181 to Chennai the same day.
I acknowledge your feedback that there were areas of the in-flight service that did not meet your expectations on your recent flight to Chennai. I value your inputs and assure you that I am committed to maintaining and enhancing the standards of service that guests have come to expect from us. We will be making certain changes to ensure guest delight.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Vijay Mallya
Chairman & CEO, Kingfisher Airlines
From: GuestCare@flykingfisher.com
To: jaya
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:09 PM
Dear Mrs. Jaya,
I refer to your previous messages to the Chairman’s office. I hope that you continue to fly with Kingfisher Airlines and also that you have found significant improvements in the quality of your experiences with Kingfisher Red.
Several enhancements have been implemented in this class of service over the past few weeks; in fact, since 15th November, we have introduced complimentary meals on Kingfisher Red, and this initiative has been greatly appreciated by guests on these flights. Further enhancements are on the way, and I hope you will continue to fly “Five Star” and enjoy your experiences with Kingfisher Airlines.
We look forward to the continued pleasure of welcoming you on board.
Yours sincerely,
Gaurav Rathore
General Manager
Quality & Guest Commitment, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd.
From: jaya
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:46 PM
Thank you so much Mr. Rathore, for updating me on the enhancement of services in Kingfisher Red. I feel proud that I voiced my disappointment at Kingfisher's lapse in service. I did it because I care. Yes I continue to fly kingfisher.
Regards - Jaya
I am happy to share with you all how as a consumer who cares I brought in the in-flight snack service in Kingfisher Red. Here are the exchange of mails. They are edited a great deal, just to convey the essence of it. In my mail I also appreciated them for all their good services. (originals available on request!!)
Subject: Kingfisher Airlines
Sent: Fri 10/10/2008 3:24 PM
To: King Club; Chairman (Chairman@flykingfisher.com)
Dear Sir,
Travelling by IT 3181 from Mumbai to Chennai I was terribly disappointed by the absence of normal in-flight service. I was told no in-flight service is provided in Kingfisher Red.
I have no idea there are two Classes of service in Kingfisher. It was not mentioned anywhere in my ticket or in my Boarding pass. Actually in my KIngfisher Red boarding pass it says Fly Five Star.
In the Chairman’s letter in Hi, Mr.Mallya says, "with Kingfisher Red service I am determined to prove that low fares do not mean low quality or poor service" and that "it will deliver on the same superior value promise that the Kingfisher Airlines band is known and loved for".
I am sorry to say Mr. Mallya that you promised more than you delivered and I felt it was unethical to withdraw a service without properly informing your customer.
Your valued Customer – Jaya
----- Original Message -----
From: Chairman@flykingfisher.com
To: Jaya
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 5:52 PM
Dear Mrs. Jaya,
Thank you for your email of 10 October, apprising me of your experience when you traveled IT 3181 to Chennai the same day.
I acknowledge your feedback that there were areas of the in-flight service that did not meet your expectations on your recent flight to Chennai. I value your inputs and assure you that I am committed to maintaining and enhancing the standards of service that guests have come to expect from us. We will be making certain changes to ensure guest delight.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Vijay Mallya
Chairman & CEO, Kingfisher Airlines
From: GuestCare@flykingfisher.com
To: jaya
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:09 PM
Dear Mrs. Jaya,
I refer to your previous messages to the Chairman’s office. I hope that you continue to fly with Kingfisher Airlines and also that you have found significant improvements in the quality of your experiences with Kingfisher Red.
Several enhancements have been implemented in this class of service over the past few weeks; in fact, since 15th November, we have introduced complimentary meals on Kingfisher Red, and this initiative has been greatly appreciated by guests on these flights. Further enhancements are on the way, and I hope you will continue to fly “Five Star” and enjoy your experiences with Kingfisher Airlines.
We look forward to the continued pleasure of welcoming you on board.
Yours sincerely,
Gaurav Rathore
General Manager
Quality & Guest Commitment, Kingfisher Airlines Ltd.
From: jaya
Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 1:46 PM
Thank you so much Mr. Rathore, for updating me on the enhancement of services in Kingfisher Red. I feel proud that I voiced my disappointment at Kingfisher's lapse in service. I did it because I care. Yes I continue to fly kingfisher.
Regards - Jaya
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
A focused theme
A focused theme
The feedback I received for my blog from my friend Sendhil from Qatar made me think. He wants me to focus on a specific issue / theme and not just have another run of the mill blog.
I am happy I have some followers who have high ambitions for me. Sendhil even thinks this could be a route through which I could be world famous.
The movie - Julie and Julia - I saw with my son Rajan in Canberra made a great impact on me.
(It is Chef Julia Child's story intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first cookbook. Julie’s project has so many followers and she receives the attention of journalists, literary agents, and publishers.)
After seeing the movie, that evening I talked to Rajan about wanting to start a blog like that on ‘consumer awareness’ about which I have been thinking for sometime. But then after coming back to India and getting into my own routine, I forgot all about it.
When my nephew Raghu send me the link for his knowledge sharing blog http://www.freewebs.com/raghushriabi/ - for pharmaceutical professionals, I thought it was a great idea, but still I didn’t relate it with something I could do.
This feedback from Sendhil is a real motivator for me to start something along that line to create ‘consumer awareness’. I am still not sure where to start and how to go about it.
But I know I do not want to focus on all the negative aspects of it, but also highlight some of the good things I discover too. (Like I discovered yesterday that the Dettol skin care soap doesn’t smell like the Dettol antiseptic solution - which is a put off for a bath soap - but has a good fragrance too that is not highlighted in their ads. and also the new Horlicks cornflakes crunchy biscuits that is so very satisfying.)
I do not want to create a ‘buyer beware’ image but a blog that would also give information on better value for money. I have to learn along the way. I would definitely like to have suggestions and inputs from people to help me.
I know, to start with, I have to creat a wider network of people to visit my blog
The feedback I received for my blog from my friend Sendhil from Qatar made me think. He wants me to focus on a specific issue / theme and not just have another run of the mill blog.
I am happy I have some followers who have high ambitions for me. Sendhil even thinks this could be a route through which I could be world famous.
The movie - Julie and Julia - I saw with my son Rajan in Canberra made a great impact on me.
(It is Chef Julia Child's story intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first cookbook. Julie’s project has so many followers and she receives the attention of journalists, literary agents, and publishers.)
After seeing the movie, that evening I talked to Rajan about wanting to start a blog like that on ‘consumer awareness’ about which I have been thinking for sometime. But then after coming back to India and getting into my own routine, I forgot all about it.
When my nephew Raghu send me the link for his knowledge sharing blog http://www.freewebs.com/raghushriabi/ - for pharmaceutical professionals, I thought it was a great idea, but still I didn’t relate it with something I could do.
This feedback from Sendhil is a real motivator for me to start something along that line to create ‘consumer awareness’. I am still not sure where to start and how to go about it.
But I know I do not want to focus on all the negative aspects of it, but also highlight some of the good things I discover too. (Like I discovered yesterday that the Dettol skin care soap doesn’t smell like the Dettol antiseptic solution - which is a put off for a bath soap - but has a good fragrance too that is not highlighted in their ads. and also the new Horlicks cornflakes crunchy biscuits that is so very satisfying.)
I do not want to create a ‘buyer beware’ image but a blog that would also give information on better value for money. I have to learn along the way. I would definitely like to have suggestions and inputs from people to help me.
I know, to start with, I have to creat a wider network of people to visit my blog
Monday, May 17, 2010
The type of movies I like
The type of movies l like
On Sunday we had power shut down from 9 am – 5.30 pm. I saw the later half of ‘Kannadi Pookall’ - கண்ணாடி பூக்கள் . I haven’t heard of this movie before. But when I turned on the TV, I found the movie very powerful that I watched it almost till the end.
It is an emotional drama dwelling on a sensitive theme. The movie is about the seven-year-old boy Vasu, who unable to tolerate the 'competition' for parental love kills his younger baby brother spraying a disinfectant.
Master Ashwin as Vasu is brilliant in his acting. The child brought tears into my eyes, when he cried so pathetically ‘I am sorry, I didn’t mean to do it’. The child displayed each emotion so perfectly. His childish innocent face was an added advantage for the role. For me the extraordinary performance by the young boy is the highlight of the movie.
Actress Kaveri plays the stepmother’s role so perfectly. The character is portrayed without any blemish, yet is believable. She brings out the anguish of losing one child and another accused of murder without any histrionics.
Everybody was honest, open and straightforward. There was no bad guy in the movie. I was worried the juvenile home warden would treat Vasu very cruelly. Luckily the movie took a turn just then and ends happily with the family together back again.
It is the chance of unexpectedly coming across such serious and sensitive movies that still tempt me to surf through the channels on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
On Sunday we had power shut down from 9 am – 5.30 pm. I saw the later half of ‘Kannadi Pookall’ - கண்ணாடி பூக்கள் . I haven’t heard of this movie before. But when I turned on the TV, I found the movie very powerful that I watched it almost till the end.
It is an emotional drama dwelling on a sensitive theme. The movie is about the seven-year-old boy Vasu, who unable to tolerate the 'competition' for parental love kills his younger baby brother spraying a disinfectant.
Master Ashwin as Vasu is brilliant in his acting. The child brought tears into my eyes, when he cried so pathetically ‘I am sorry, I didn’t mean to do it’. The child displayed each emotion so perfectly. His childish innocent face was an added advantage for the role. For me the extraordinary performance by the young boy is the highlight of the movie.
Actress Kaveri plays the stepmother’s role so perfectly. The character is portrayed without any blemish, yet is believable. She brings out the anguish of losing one child and another accused of murder without any histrionics.
Everybody was honest, open and straightforward. There was no bad guy in the movie. I was worried the juvenile home warden would treat Vasu very cruelly. Luckily the movie took a turn just then and ends happily with the family together back again.
It is the chance of unexpectedly coming across such serious and sensitive movies that still tempt me to surf through the channels on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Friday, May 14, 2010
A questioning mind
A questioning mind
What is the purpose of having my own Blog? Is it my diary? Am I going to write everything about me in this? Then would I still like to share it with others? What is the purpose of sharing it with others?
Is this to document what I like, what makes me happy and what affects me deeply? Would it help me to identify the real me?
Who am I? Is it what I think I am, what I project as me – some consciously some subconsciously? Does it really get conveyed to others? Do people see what I perceive as my strength as my weakness and vise-versa? Do people accept the image of me as I project? Do they judge me by what I say and project? Is it really necessary for me to know how people perceive me? Would it help me to love myself?
Is what I express in my writing an outward symptom of who I am? By being aware of it would I be able to understand the real me?
Why did I go to the Vipasana programme? Was it just out of curiosity to find out what it can do for me? Did I expect some kind of miracle? Was it to find out who I am? When I filled out in the form the ‘purpose of doing the course’ as “to find peace and harmony within”, was my response just routine?
At the end of the programme when asked about my experience and I said it as ‘I am OK, you are OK’, did it come out from nowhere? How did I get the awareness that ‘I am OK’ after the Vipasana even though I didn’t work towards it? Is it that all of a sudden I understood that I am not unique in my confusion and conflict and this is how others are too and we all have our own system of handling it?
Why did I feel ‘I am not OK and you are OK’ before? Is it because I felt I didn’t have all of what was pointed out as good qualities in so many others? Do I give the same kind of feeling to others?
The discipline I follow and the control I exercise on myself is it to prove to myself what I can do, capable of? Or do I practise it to build up my strengths, because I believe those are the great norms that are held in high esteem?
Have I always been deeply aware of what is going on in my mind? Has it been intensified now by meditation? Why do I feel I have to write it down? Does it bring clarity to the feeling of who I am? Then why do I have to share it with others? What purpose does it serve? Is it just to display my writing style and skill? Is it to get approval of others for my way of thinking and feeling? Do I want or expect any feedback? Am I worried that an argument to the contrary would shake the foundation of my belief?
Do I want to preserve what I have written? Am I worried that not being a hard copy it would just get lost in the cyber space and just get mixed up with all the other untold truths? Does it matter?
Are these questions or am I answering myself? By sharing this am I doing a service to people who may go through the same thinking process, as I was to realize ‘I am OK’?
From today’s Daily Guru
Don't think away your feelings "When emotions are managed by the heart, they heighten your awareness of the world around you and add sparkle to life. The result is new intelligence and a new view of life." -- Doc Childre and Howard Martin
"Learning to be aware of feelings, how they arise and how to use them creatively so they guide us to happiness, is an essential lifetime skill." -- Joan Borysenkohe
What is the purpose of having my own Blog? Is it my diary? Am I going to write everything about me in this? Then would I still like to share it with others? What is the purpose of sharing it with others?
Is this to document what I like, what makes me happy and what affects me deeply? Would it help me to identify the real me?
Who am I? Is it what I think I am, what I project as me – some consciously some subconsciously? Does it really get conveyed to others? Do people see what I perceive as my strength as my weakness and vise-versa? Do people accept the image of me as I project? Do they judge me by what I say and project? Is it really necessary for me to know how people perceive me? Would it help me to love myself?
Is what I express in my writing an outward symptom of who I am? By being aware of it would I be able to understand the real me?
Why did I go to the Vipasana programme? Was it just out of curiosity to find out what it can do for me? Did I expect some kind of miracle? Was it to find out who I am? When I filled out in the form the ‘purpose of doing the course’ as “to find peace and harmony within”, was my response just routine?
At the end of the programme when asked about my experience and I said it as ‘I am OK, you are OK’, did it come out from nowhere? How did I get the awareness that ‘I am OK’ after the Vipasana even though I didn’t work towards it? Is it that all of a sudden I understood that I am not unique in my confusion and conflict and this is how others are too and we all have our own system of handling it?
Why did I feel ‘I am not OK and you are OK’ before? Is it because I felt I didn’t have all of what was pointed out as good qualities in so many others? Do I give the same kind of feeling to others?
The discipline I follow and the control I exercise on myself is it to prove to myself what I can do, capable of? Or do I practise it to build up my strengths, because I believe those are the great norms that are held in high esteem?
Have I always been deeply aware of what is going on in my mind? Has it been intensified now by meditation? Why do I feel I have to write it down? Does it bring clarity to the feeling of who I am? Then why do I have to share it with others? What purpose does it serve? Is it just to display my writing style and skill? Is it to get approval of others for my way of thinking and feeling? Do I want or expect any feedback? Am I worried that an argument to the contrary would shake the foundation of my belief?
Do I want to preserve what I have written? Am I worried that not being a hard copy it would just get lost in the cyber space and just get mixed up with all the other untold truths? Does it matter?
Are these questions or am I answering myself? By sharing this am I doing a service to people who may go through the same thinking process, as I was to realize ‘I am OK’?
From today’s Daily Guru
Don't think away your feelings "When emotions are managed by the heart, they heighten your awareness of the world around you and add sparkle to life. The result is new intelligence and a new view of life." -- Doc Childre and Howard Martin
"Learning to be aware of feelings, how they arise and how to use them creatively so they guide us to happiness, is an essential lifetime skill." -- Joan Borysenkohe
Thursday, May 13, 2010
சிரிப்பு வரவேண்டும்
சிரிப்பு வரவேண்டும்
ஜோக்குகளில் கூட எதிர்மறையானது பிடிப்பதில்லை.
ஜட்ஜ் ஒரு பெண்ணிடம் - நீ ஏன் உன் கணவரை நாற்காலியால் அடித்து கொன்றாய்?(இந்த முதல் வரியே ஜோக் ஆக இல்லை)
பெண் - டேபிளை தூக்க முடியவில்லை
(என்ன ஒரு அஹங்காரம், ஆத்திரம் என்று தான் தோன்றுகிறதே தவிர எனக்கு சிரிப்பு வரவில்லை)
ஜோக் படித்தால் வாய்விட்டு சிரிக்க முடியவேண்டும். மனதில் ஒரு பூ பூக்கவேண்டும். நினைத்து நினைத்து சந்தோஷப்பட முடியவேண்டும். இவர்களுக்கு எப்படி ஒரு சாதாரண விஷயத்தை இப்படி நகைச்சுவை உணர்வுடன் பார்க்கமுடிகிறது என்று வியப்படைய செய்யும் ஜோக்ஸ் தான் எனக்கு பிடிக்கிறது
காலையில் முதல் செய்தி
காலையில் முதல் செய்தி
தினசரி காலெண்டரில் நாள் மாற்றும் பொது அன்றைய தேதிக்கு ஒரு அறிவுரை சொல்லியிருப்பதை படிப்பேன். அன்றைய விசேஷம், கோயில் பூஜை, திதி போன்றவற்றுடன் கட்டாயமாக அதையும் படிப்பேன்.
பல பின்பற்றதூண்டும். பல அன்றைய மனநிலைக்கு போருத்தமகக்கூட இருக்கும் . நம்பிக்கையுடன் செயல் படு வெற்றி அடைவாய் என்று படித்தாலே வெற்றி அடைந்த திருப்தி இருக்கும். இப்படி செய்தால் நன்மை பெறுவாய், சுகம் தரும், நல்ல உறவை வளர்த்துக்கொள்ள முடியும், ஆரோக்யத்துக்கு உகந்தது என்று பாசிடிவாக சொல்வது பிடிக்கும். ஆசீர்வாதம் போல இருக்கும். அப்படி இல்லாமல் இப்படி செய்யாவிட்டால் எதிர்மறையான விளைவுகளே ஏற்படும் என்று காலையில் வந்து முதலில் படிப்பது ஏதோ சாபம் இடுவது போல இருக்கிறது.
மற்றவர்கள் இதற்கு இவ்வளவு முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுப்பார்களா தெரியவில்லை. நல்ல வார்த்தை சொல்லி புரிய வைக்கவேண்டுமே தவிர பயமுறுத்தி யாரையும் நல்வழிப்படுத்த முடியாது என்று தான் எனக்கு தோன்றுகிறது. இதற்கென்றே ஒருவர் அக்கறை எடுத்துக்கொண்டு செய்யும் பொது இதிலும் கொஞ்சம் கவனம் செலுத்தலாமே.
தினசரி காலெண்டரில் நாள் மாற்றும் பொது அன்றைய தேதிக்கு ஒரு அறிவுரை சொல்லியிருப்பதை படிப்பேன். அன்றைய விசேஷம், கோயில் பூஜை, திதி போன்றவற்றுடன் கட்டாயமாக அதையும் படிப்பேன்.
பல பின்பற்றதூண்டும். பல அன்றைய மனநிலைக்கு போருத்தமகக்கூட இருக்கும் . நம்பிக்கையுடன் செயல் படு வெற்றி அடைவாய் என்று படித்தாலே வெற்றி அடைந்த திருப்தி இருக்கும். இப்படி செய்தால் நன்மை பெறுவாய், சுகம் தரும், நல்ல உறவை வளர்த்துக்கொள்ள முடியும், ஆரோக்யத்துக்கு உகந்தது என்று பாசிடிவாக சொல்வது பிடிக்கும். ஆசீர்வாதம் போல இருக்கும். அப்படி இல்லாமல் இப்படி செய்யாவிட்டால் எதிர்மறையான விளைவுகளே ஏற்படும் என்று காலையில் வந்து முதலில் படிப்பது ஏதோ சாபம் இடுவது போல இருக்கிறது.
மற்றவர்கள் இதற்கு இவ்வளவு முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுப்பார்களா தெரியவில்லை. நல்ல வார்த்தை சொல்லி புரிய வைக்கவேண்டுமே தவிர பயமுறுத்தி யாரையும் நல்வழிப்படுத்த முடியாது என்று தான் எனக்கு தோன்றுகிறது. இதற்கென்றே ஒருவர் அக்கறை எடுத்துக்கொண்டு செய்யும் பொது இதிலும் கொஞ்சம் கவனம் செலுத்தலாமே.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
A new me
A new me
I went to our school yesterday in the morning, to discuss about updating of our school website. The driver dropped me off at the school and went to our farm to pick up some tender coconuts and mangoes.
I finished with the discussions within an hour. It was only 10.30 a.m. I decided to wait in the school office room overlooking the front gate. Newspapers were available. I sat comfortably in a revolving chair in the direction of the air circulating from a wall-mounted fan. It was blowing hot air. I read the days ‘Hindu’ and the day before’s and the day before the day before’s. Read all the news other people were talking about at home for the past two days. I read a Tamil newspaper too.I wasn’t in any way impatient that the car hasn’t come to pick me up. Did a 3 star Sudoko. Happy I could complete it without much difficulty.
The fan was not making any noise; neither was the girl working with the computer. The school is closed. So there was no noticeable sound. Being engrossed in what I was doing I noticed very little. Thinking back I recognize that I was more ‘here and now’. I recognized I was thirsty, but I wasn’t inclined to go and get a glass of water. Just then one of the ayah’s came and gave me a glass of fresh lemon drink. It was very refreshing. I appreciated the gesture very much and I thanked her again when she came to collect the glass.
After that there was nothing else to do. Only then I looked around the room. There was a daily calendar on the wall that showed the date as 24th April. I got up, went near it and leafed through the sheets up till the current date. I was about to tear the bunch of sheets.
Do you know what happened then?
A scene flashed through my mind; or is it across my mind’s eye?
The headmaster asks the office assistant, “Who tore these sheets? I wanted them specifically left on for a purpose”.The girl tells him, “Not me Sir, Jaya madam did it. I saw it only after she had done it and hence couldn’t say anything”.
I felt it is not for me to do that. If they had wanted to, they would have done it. I left it as it is.
After about 5 minutes the driver came to pick me up. It was about noon. I was not my usual anxious self, in a hurry to get back to whatever I had to do. I was a different me. I understood why the driver was delayed. I went back to my office very contented with myself.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Desire for others
Desire for others
I went to Mumbai on 7th April to attend the Vipasana programme. I had arranged with Santhan to pick me up at the airport, to have lunch with him and to drop me off at the Gorai Vipasana Centre that is about an hour and a half drive from the airport.
It was the 9.15 a.m. flight from Chennai to reach Mumbai at 11 a.m. I felt I would have a good bonding time with Santhan for about 3 – 4 hours.
When I heard the flight was delayed by one hour, I immediately sent sms to Santhan about the delay, informing him the expected arrival time as 12 noon.
I was happy the plane landed about 10 minutes early. But as I was waiting for the luggage to arrive, I was impatient. As is my practice, I would always go for an appointment 10 minutes early and wait patiently for the person even if he arrives half an hour late and will not even think of complaining. But I am never comfortable with the thought of somebody waiting for me. The thought of Santhan waiting for me outside in the middle of the summer day made me very impatient.
I just thought why can’t my luggage come first. It has never happened to me before. Somebody’s luggage has to come first, why can’t it be mine for ones?
I couldn’t believe my eyes. My luggage did come first. Since I had borrowed the suitcase from Bhooma for this trip and I couldn’t believe that my thought has made my wish materialize I checked the tag in the bag three times to make sure it was mine. I was so happy. I have never felt that happy ever before.
I wouldn’t say I actually ‘wished’ for it. I only thought – so that I don’t make my brother wait for me outside in the heat. Left to myself it wouldn’t have mattered to me so much.
It is true - You will always have what you desire for others.
I went to Mumbai on 7th April to attend the Vipasana programme. I had arranged with Santhan to pick me up at the airport, to have lunch with him and to drop me off at the Gorai Vipasana Centre that is about an hour and a half drive from the airport.
It was the 9.15 a.m. flight from Chennai to reach Mumbai at 11 a.m. I felt I would have a good bonding time with Santhan for about 3 – 4 hours.
When I heard the flight was delayed by one hour, I immediately sent sms to Santhan about the delay, informing him the expected arrival time as 12 noon.
I was happy the plane landed about 10 minutes early. But as I was waiting for the luggage to arrive, I was impatient. As is my practice, I would always go for an appointment 10 minutes early and wait patiently for the person even if he arrives half an hour late and will not even think of complaining. But I am never comfortable with the thought of somebody waiting for me. The thought of Santhan waiting for me outside in the middle of the summer day made me very impatient.
I just thought why can’t my luggage come first. It has never happened to me before. Somebody’s luggage has to come first, why can’t it be mine for ones?
I couldn’t believe my eyes. My luggage did come first. Since I had borrowed the suitcase from Bhooma for this trip and I couldn’t believe that my thought has made my wish materialize I checked the tag in the bag three times to make sure it was mine. I was so happy. I have never felt that happy ever before.
I wouldn’t say I actually ‘wished’ for it. I only thought – so that I don’t make my brother wait for me outside in the heat. Left to myself it wouldn’t have mattered to me so much.
It is true - You will always have what you desire for others.
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