Thought

Why do we wish so much
when we don't even live
Its true, we only breathe...

Trapped eternally in futile beliefs
we have stopped listening to the heart
Each one wants to be the best
and the 'best' is not defined

Have we lost the passion somewhere
to extricate life, every moment?
Is God a strict daddy
who punishes us for loving?
And who has created rules
that are different across boundaries....

So then who decides the rules?
You, me or 'them'...?

Its simple, to be happy
if only we let ourselves be....

Amazing quote

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” - Rumi

Without you...

The most beautiful day of my life is as vivid in my mind as nature after rains. Those three hours….how I wish my entire life could be wrapped up in that time. The walk along Camelback Road, getting wet in the drizzle, stopping by to have tea….simple things in life. Each moment was happier than the previous one….if there is heaven anywhere, it was then, there. In a crowded, hilly town in north India, this long stretch of road starts right in the middle of the mall road. And thereafter, the experience is totally different. I started walking expecting it to be a long, humdrum walk. I was pleasantly surprised very soon….happy to be unproven.

The road is literally shaped like a camel’s back, and hence its name. The curve never ends, atleast till I walked it didn’t. It was August, and rains kept the weather cool and mushy. There were three exquisite phases of my walk. In the first, I met a sweet little fellow, a week old (won’t explain how I knew that) white pup, shivering under a tree. I stopped when I saw him; we gazed into each other’s eyes for a while, and then I wondered what to do (am very scared of dogs, especially pups!). Unsure, I kept on walking, faster this time. Soon I came across a small tea shop. The owner’s kids were only too happy to know about the creature, and ran before I could say ‘pup’. I stayed there for a while, had tea sitting on a dilapidated bench overlooking the mountains….what a sight! The only thing I missed then was music…..that lay a little ahead.

In the second phase of my walk, I met a young man playing guitar. Perhaps he was as much in awe as me, atleast that is what his music conveyed. Another break for me; I sat down and drowned in melody for the next few minutes. As I got up to leave, I thanked the young man, said a few words in appreciation of his talent, and, moved on.

The third phase was a quick visit (?) to an old graveyard. It was eerie, standing there in silence, in front of the main gate that was locked. Yes, humans are not allowed there anymore (we are not trusted here also, shame on us!). Only one thought comes to my mind when I think about a graveyard…..papa. Well, how ironic that moment was….so enchanting, and at the same time, so poignant.

Alas! I had to turn back, go back to the place I was staying at. I started walking with a heavy heart, gloomy at the thought of losing those moments, ecstatic to have gained blissful memories for a lifetime! But the most wonderful part of my short journey was…that I wasn’t alone. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.

Empathy - do you have it?

There is one thing good about me that I know for sure - I can empathize. Yes I am being immodest, and I am not ashamed. In my 27 years of life, I have learnt that if people in this world have an iota more of empathy, there will be more peace around. And I am not talking about empathy with the poor and needy. No, I am talking about things much less significant, but which can have a gargantuan impact on our lives.

No, empathy is not about saying "I understand", its about understanding, and sometimes about saying "I know I can't understand, but I will try". There is a diference. Empathy is never negative. So, for instance, your best friend hasn't called you for three months and you think "She doesn't want to speak to me, she has changed". This is not empathy, its just the opposite infact:)

When you empathize, you don't judge people; you put yourself in their shoes. You don't have preconceived notions, you don't jump to conclusions without knowing the truth, and in the process, you hurt yourself a little less, because you know the other person did not intend to hurt you. Its very basic - nothing complicated. However, on most occasions, people have unbending beliefs that they prefer to stick to, unaware of the fact that life does not hold the same meaning for every individual. What you see as red, might not be red for someone else. What works for you, might not work for someone else. What the other person has gone through, you might never experience in your entire life, unless, you empathize.

Empathize with people you know- it precludes misunderstandings. Empathize with strangers, you will evolve as a human being when you are able to understand their needs, feel it the way they do. Before you have any unconstructive thought, spare a moment to think - "Are there any other possibilities?" In most cases, there will be.

Its not very difficult, is it?