Friday, May 21, 2010

Why do you fall down??

So that you can get back up on our feet. That makes falling down so interesting. You learn a new lesson each time you fall. Thats what every day is about. You want so many things. Each morning you set out to find them. When you return home after a tiring day, you look back to evaluate all thats happened. What you have learnt? What new experiences you shared? What went wrong? What went right? And you are ready to apply all those things when you set out the next day. So you wish all this were true. But its not. You fall down. You kick the ground. Let out your frustration. Use a few foul words. Talk to yourself. Remind yourself that the whole world is out to get you....

Amazing isn't it? Such a wonderful opportunity goes by. Instead of taking the positives out of the hardships, you choose to focus on the depressing aspects. There is never a better perspective than hindsight. Ever wonder why there are more followers than leaders? You only learn from your mistakes. Your blemishes only offer you a chance to perfect something. Hey !! Its easy to preach these wonderful things in a sermon. But its really difficult to experience them yourself. More so, when the embarassment of falling down is overwhelming. Do you want to lose today so that you win tomorrow? Nah. You always wish to win at first shot....

No one likes to lose. Consider this in the context of the world having more losers and very few winners. Thats why you love the underdog. Somewhere you view yourself in the shadows of every underdog who takes on the mighty bully. You always want the underdog to win. Yup. It always happens in movies and sometimes in sports. Rarely happens in life and love. Well, the point is that your losing everytime makes the rare win so much more worthwhile. Dont bother asking the Aussie cricket team of 90s or Federer or Woods. They would not vouch for it. Final thoughts. You lose not because you lost. You lose when you fail to realize that you have so much to gain...

Something to consider. Centuries ago, an apple fell on the head of a man sitting under the tree. The man asked the question, "Why do you fall down?" The rest they say is history...

Monday, May 10, 2010

For centuries to come...

Three stone masons in the middle ages were hard at work when a visitor came along and asked them what they were doing.

The first stone mason was hard at work, sweat beading his brow. “I am cutting this stone”, he grumbled.
The second stone mason, though less distraught, responded with a deep sigh, “I’m building a parapet”.
The third stone mason, replied with a radiant face, “I am building a beautiful cathedral that will glorify God for centuries to come”.

- What a start to this week !! Just finished reading this story. Simple but elegant. Had to post this here...

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Just a dash of solitude was enough...

Just a dash of solitude was enough
To kindle emotions from the past
Of times we held each other's hand
Walking together by the rosy sunset
Leaving footprints in the wet sands
So waves may slowly kiss them away
Picking shells stranded on the shore
To hear what the sea wished to say
Gazing at white birds on the horizon
Hoping they returned to their beloved
Little stars beginning their descent
Stood witness to our silent young love
A dash of solitude is now not enough
To seek solace from these emotions

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Mumbaikar's triplet...

I have lived many years of my life in Mumbai. Yet, I cannot claim to have seen and experienced everything about it. It has so much more to offer. The excitement. The friendliness. The rush hour. You name it. Navigating the uncertainty in this great city. Adjusting to the dynamism of this bustling metro. Realizing those dreams which made someone come to this amazing place. In short, what makes the average guy in this city tick? Cannot speak for everyone. But, here are the three things that appeal to every Mumbaikar in one way or the other.

Local train. Would be really difficult to find one who has not traveled by trains. A vast majority of the citizens have their destiny intertwined to the "on time-ness" of the local trains. It would not be heretic to say that Thane local and Virar local are the lifelines of the city. Hanging from the trains and jostling with hundred of others simply to get in are experiences by themselves. The compartments are called first class and second class. Sort of a colonial hangover. But, today both of them are equally crowded. Only difference being ticket checkers exist in first class predominantly. How can one forget the "video coach"? It cannot be described. You have to travel by it to experience it. A lovely window that offers earnest guys a peek into the psyche of the fairer gender. Almost every other college guy wants to be in that one! Wait a minute, I think most of them travel regularly by one! Suffice to say, the window makes the whole trip via trains worthwhile for many. Next is the vada pav. A perennial favorite. Introduced to the western world as the "Mumbai Burger". Its fast. Its yummy. Vegetarian's delight. Basically, it is mashed potatoes with a dash of mustard, turmeric, chillies, coriander and onions. And the wonderful mix is sandwiched between two bread slices, locally called pav. Add some spicy garlic chutney and a "cutting chai". You have the most delicious source of energy available to every Mumbaikar. Last but not the least, it is the mango. Nothing helps beat the searing summer heat like the mango. So many types of mangos. But, the alphonso is the dearest. In May, the whole city is lit up by the yellow fruit. It would be rare to find anyone in the city who does not consider this fruit a favorite. The average aunty loves bargaining for the mango as much as eating it. The mango is what binds the rich and the poor. Whether living in the highest towers in South Mumbai or in the shanties of Dharavi, a smile curves up on the faces at the sight of the mango.

This triplet may not be as beautiful as the Pythagorean one. But, it sure does bring back memories. Aha ! A vada pav, a glass of fresh mango juice and the afternoon Thane local...