In So Many Words...: The Optimistic Fool

In So Many Words...: The Optimistic Fool

In So Many Words...: The Optimistic Fool

In So Many Words...: The Optimistic Fool

The Optimistic Fool

Lets start with I don't really know what to write. or, maybe, I don't know what to do with myself....... as of now.
It's complicated, really. Life is one big ball of wool....... the more you open it, the more it messes with your head.......and NO, I don't have a cat who would love to play with the ball of wool. But, if you come to think of it, does one really need a cat to unravel the wool and make things messier? I don't think so. Life is a cat in itself........ or maybe a bitch???!!!.... Whichever.
The point is, when life gives you oranges, you cannot make lemonade....... Come to think of it, you can't even make orange juice... yes, even though they ARE oranges. Because, that's life........ It's a sadist. It shows you the temptation, gets you all tempted and then tells you, "Sweety, you can't have it".
And then, you're drooling like a shaggy dog, staring at the thing dangling from so high up that you wouldn't even think of wasting your energy trying to reach out for it.
We thought mothers were bad!
I'll be very honest, I want a lot of things from life. Who doesn't? But, from where I see it, everybody else gets exactly what they want - sooner or later - and I have to make do with a phrase like, " suck your thumb".
It feels annoying, very annoying........ but I'm still patient. Maybe, in the end....... I'll get what I want. Thats what our forefathers have been telling us, "In the end, it's all going to be okay". Yeah, sure it will. Only, in the end, we won't be around to see it turn okay. We'll be in heaven...... Or hell. Whatever suits best.
Then, whats the point of everything turning out okay if it's only going to do so in the end? What the hell are we sticking around for?
And don't give me that, "God has a greater plan" shit. The greater plan only comes around in the end, after we're all six feet under..... reminds of that song by Creed - One Last Breath........ Not in the romantic sense, though.
There is nothing romantic or magical about life........... unless you're an optimistic fool........
Like me.
Happy Living!!

The Fifth Element

Earth, water, fire and air are the four life-giving elements that we are born from and to which we will return one day.
But, what about the time spent in between? The time from when we are born into this world to the time when we return to the world we came from? The time during which we find ourselves a home, a family and a place where we belong; the time we call Life.
I truly believe that we are nothing but wanderers in this world, always searching for something precious. And, in this short visit that we have been presented with, God meant us to find a Fifth element. It would be rare, but a precious element, greater than any materialistic treasure of this world. It would be a treasure so hard to find, we’d have to search within our souls. It would be an element that would take us through this life and deliver us from all vices. It would make this life worth living. It would make the world go around. This element is Humanity – the fifth and most important element for life.
When God made us humans, he gave us senses so we could feel for people other than ourselves and care for them. Humanity is such a priceless emotion. Though small in quantity, it radiates the light of the world. Humanity is like a seed, which if nurtured, will grow to encompass the entire world in its beauty. However, if it were neglected, it would vanish into nothingness.
God gave us life in the hope that we would cherish it not only for ourselves but for others’ as well.
Humanity is one of the most important virtues of life – and for life. And it is up to us to understand that this gift of life is more than just the drive to get somewhere and leave someone behind because, at the end of the day, the only place we will ever get is closer to God. So, life is basically a quest to see who gets closer to God. It is nothing but a test for humanity, or the greater good. And in the end, the best woman or man wins!
We need to kill the pride or the superiority complex within us in order to find love, compassion and empathy towards other people. We need to understand that no one is greater or lesser than anyone. When we breathe the same air; drink the same water; eat the same food and walk the same earth, why then should there be a difference in our feelings towards one another?
Life is given to everyone. The only difference is that some have it harder than the others. Some have the remarkable ability to endure pain; but does that give us the right to inflict pain on them? Everybody is equal. However, everyone is not a fair player. For them, this quest is an endless maze in which they will be trapped forever.
All we need is a little humanity towards each other. Humanity does not pertain to an individual in particular; it engulfs the whole world in a shield of love.
Humanity is a very rare gift. How often do you see a man fondling a street dog? How often do you find a person buying balloons from a street vendor even if they don’t require them? How often do we see someone getting off his or her car to help the old man cross the road? Or how often do we buy the poor kids some ice cream instead of gulping it down greedily? Not very often. But, these are the few simple things we should be doing as humans.
A world without any humanity would be a ruthless hell, and it’s the only place we’ll get if we forgot how to care because we were too busy being selfish. If we show a little kindness and a little love for the poor old woman or the slum kids across the street, it wouldn’t kill us. This is what humanity is all about – giving unconditionally. It is about finding happiness in helping those who are in need without any ulterior motive.
A little compassion is all it takes; and it costs nothing.
So, we should give humanity a chance to grow. Then, there will be nothing less in life because; humanity is that element which takes us beyond just living for ourselves. It teaches us to grow; it teaches us to live for the world. Humanity gives life a deeper meaning and gives death a greater cause – to grow closer to God.

Things Could Get A Lot Worse!!!

My last class for the day; and I plan to take a break from my busy schedule…. And friends. I want to get back home and get some sleep after I spent the last night dribbling over my assignment (yeah, that’s what you get for doing your work late).
As I step out of my college, I see the dark gray clouds gathering overhead. I sigh to myself; at last the cities going to have some rain. I hurry on, realizing that if it begins to rain right now, I’m going to be stuck here forever. Yes, that’s exactly why I’m panicking. Thank the mean auto – rickshaw guys for deciding to torture me on a rainy day!!
If I don’t get an auto – rickshaw in time, I‘m going to miss my bus…. And hence, goes wrong the routine program I had planned. And, I DO NOT want that to happen!
I’m crossing my fingers and toes (literally), praying to God to be generous to me today.
AND, finally - after losing 8 auto-rickshaws - God has been good to me. Now, I can get to my bus stop in time; and then, I’ll be home!! My heart is jumping with joy at the thought of the wonderful hours that I’m going to be sleeping. I’m blessing the auto – rickshaw guy. What a saviour?!
I make it to my bus stop, just in time to see my bus speed away. I already feel rotten. Never mind, I’ll catch the next bus that comes in about half an hour, 15 minutes…. Not a problem. I’ll still get my sleep.
I’m waiting (standing, actually) at my bus stop. Exactly an hour now. What the heck!! But, I’m still waiting; there’s no way I’m budging from here. Because if I do, I’ll still get to nowhere. Not a single auto-rickshaw is ready to stop. That darn bus HAS to come!!
Then, I see a bus coming down over the flyover. Please let it be THE bus, please…
And guess what?! It is. What a relief. But wait. The bus is so crowded. But again, it’s what seems to me like the only bus to be coming for a long while. So, I weigh my options (I don’t have many), and then, decide to get in. At least I’ll be making it home. I fight my way through the crowd (there’s not much fighting to do, considering the fact that everyone is practically squash), and manage to get hold of a pole that I can grip to keep my balance going strong. What a day, I say to myself. But, things could get worse. So, I’m thanking God for small mercies.
About an hour into the journey, I realize that it’s been longer than usual to get to Nehru Place, from where I catch my second bus. Now, I’m getting irritable. Dang it, my toes!! They’re going to be a mess by the time I get home. The rain is pouring as if, it had only today to flood the city.
In that time (while standing in the bus), I’m rescheduling my whole plan. It’s already 4.00 pm. I should have been home by now. Bye – bye sweet dreams.
I’m practically exhausted by now. The bus is crawling. People around me are getting restless, and terribly irritating. We’ve been stuck in the same place for an hour now. I begin to ask my self, can anything get any worse than this? And, as if bad fortune heard my call, the bus driver (unnerved he is, to say the least) announces to us, “Abhi toh bahut waqt lagega. Yeh jaam toh bana rahega ek do ghante ke liye”.
YEAH, WELCOME TO SAADI DILLI!!!
People start murmuring angrily but I couldn’t care less.
I WANT TO GO HOME!!! My insides are screaming out to whoever would listen. But, on the outside I am unperturbed. I should have auditioned for my drama society!!!
I’m trying to distract my thoughts. Before I know it I’ll be home (yeah, right!)
Two and a half hours. Looks like we’ve come to the end of the jam. I let out a sigh of relief. Fifteen minutes later, I’m getting off my bus only to realize that I’m going to have to run to my second bus before I miss it and stay stuck in the rain - forever.
I run as if my life is at stake (not to mention that I’m drenched to my little toe).
Just when I thought I wouldn’t be needing my umbrella on such a hot day, the rain comes pouring down and teaches me a lesson. And, I suddenly remember Great Murphy’s Laws.
Things happen just when you don’t expect them the to.
I get into my bus and I can see people looking at me. I must look like an idiot; I sure feel like one. After I manage to get a seat to myself (what a relief, after hours of standing), I check my phone. It isn’t wet (at least there was Something that wasn’t wet). I call my mother to let her know I’ll be late. But, she’s stuck in a jam, too. Great!! Today is DEFINITELY our day out.
Finally, the engine of the bus croaks to life.
And I answer it wearily, “Just take me home”.
After what seems to have been ages (which I do not have the energy to mind), I get off the bus, already dogged.
It’s dark now. What a surprise!! But, I can’t be bothered about it just yet. As it is, I’m too tired.
Now, all I have to do is walk home.
Darn! Can’t someone just carry me home?! Yeah, like in the James Blunt song. Urgh… Never mind.
The point is that I finally made it home. YAYE!!! God is great!
But seriously, what a day!!!
Phew!!

a scheduled country

With the Gujjar agitaion leading to a whole 5% quota being awarded to them, one must rightly ponder over why more than half of India is either scheduled tribe, scheduled caste, or deemed OBC.The government has, very conveniently, classified the unscheduled people as privileged, while the SCs, STs and OBCs are termed as underprivileged; but, after observing so many agitations from different parts of the country, it really seems to me as if it is actually the underprivileged who are the most privileged of all. Not only in the field of educaton do these so called under-privileged get a concession,but also in the job sector, they are a cut above the rest. Where does that leave us?
For college admissions, if one belongs to the "creamy layer", you are granted admission, no matter what the percentage of that person is. at the same time, if a student from the general category applies for admission in the college, they find it a tough struggle.
Why so much injustice?
The Constitution of India clearly states that all citizens are qual in the eyes of law, irrespective of religin, caste or sex; why then the great bias?
By allotting special status to one group of people, while the others look on, the government is only proving to one and all that this is a terribly biased country; and the government of this country is terribly weak and cannot take a stand for itself. Such quotas only increase the bias. Why don't all candidates, whether creamy or non- creamy, apply on the basis of merit? Isn't that the best way to sought things out? No one gets blamed for being partial and the government has a safe run as well. But then, driving sense into the Indian government is like pleading with mountains to move.
......Ever wondered why brain drain occurs?

HOW IMPORTANT ARE MOTHERS??

GENERATION-I.....BIG DEAL.....
OUR PRIORITIES: FRIENDS, PHONES, CAREER, REPUTATION, STATUS, PERSONALITY, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH....THE LIST IS ENDLESS. BUT, IN THIS ENDLESS LIST WHERE CAN WE FIND THE WORD "MOTHER" OR "FAMILY"?
SOMEWHERE DOWN, PERHAPS. WHY? GOD KNOWS.
LIFE IS FAST ....AND SHORT AND WE HAVE SO MUCH TO DO; SO MUCH TO ACHIEVE THAT WE FORGET ABOUT THE TREASURES WE ACTUALLY OWN - REAL TREASURE- MOTHERS.
WE ARE SO FAR SIGHTED THAT WE FORGET TO LOOK AT THE THINGS WITHIN OUR SIGHT; WE FORGET TO SEE OUR MOTHERS WHO HOPE THE BEST FOR US AND WHO NEED OUR ATTENTION MORE THAN WE THINK THEY DO.
SO WHAT, IF WE'RE ONLY TEENAGERS, OR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH GREAT ASPIRATIONS. AREN'T WE SOMEBODY'S CHILDREN, TOO? DON'T WE HAVE OTHER, MORE IMPORTANT DUTIES TO PERFORM, TOWARDS OUR MOTHERS PERHAPS?
AFTER ALL, THEY'RE THE ABSOLUTE REASON WHY WE'RE HERE, THE REASON WHY WE ARE SO FAR SIGHTED.
THE REASON WHY I AM STRESSING ON MOTHERS IN PARTICULAR IS BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ROOTS TO A FAMILY'S BEING. FATHERS ARE IMPORTANT FIGURES, YEAH. THEY ARE STRONG MASCULAR AND FULFILL ALL OUR DESIRES....BUT, IT IS A MOTHER TO WHOM WE ARE EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED; IT IS A MOTHER WHO REALLY KNOWS WHAT WE WANT AND WHAT IS RIGHT FOR US...ONLY SHE CAN UNDERSTAND YOU WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH EXAM STRESS; WHEN YOU ARE WONDERING IF YOU SHOULD DISCLOSE TO YOUR PARENTS ABOUT YOUR FIRST DATE. SHE SENSES THE WRONG YOU HAVE DONE EVEN BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO TELL HER ABOUT IT. IN SHORT, SHE IS THE ONLY TRUE FRIEND YOU HAVE; TRUER THAN YOUR BEST FRIEND, TRUER THAN YOUR INNER CONSCIENCE.
IN OUR YEARS TO COME WE MIGHT NOT REMEMBER THE THINGS WE ACHIEVED OR THE THINGS WE FAILED TO ACHIEVE ; BUT, WE CERTAIN WILL REMEMBER THE TIME WHEN WE DID NOT LIVE UP TO THE EXECTATIONS OF OUR MOTHERS TO WHOM WE OWE EVERY BREATH WE TAKE AND EVERY FRUIT WE BEAR..EVERY HARVEST WE REAP.

MOM'S THE WORD!!!

WITH MOTHER'S DAY AROUND THE CORNER, MANY KIDOS AND MANY NOT-SO-KIDOS ARE CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT TO DO (AND WHAT NOT TO DO) FOR THEIR MOTHER ON THE BIG DAY. OBVIOUSLY, IT'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING SPECIAL. SO HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS WHICH YOU'D LIKE TO DO, SHOUL DO AND SHOULD NOT EVEN ATTEMPT.
WHAT TO DO:

1. MAKE THE DAY SPECIAL FOR HER; SO ALL YOU SLEEPY HEADS WHO ARE IN THE HABBIT OF GETTING UP A LITTLE BEFORE EVENING, PLEASE SET YOUR ALARM CLOCKS.
2. MOMS LOVE TO SEE THEIR KIDS HAPPY AND SMILING......SO, I GUESS,YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO.
3. TRY AND HELP HER IN THE HOUSEHOLD CHORES, NOT THE BIG ONES IF YOU'RE BAD AT IT.
4. ITS ONE OF THOSE DAYS WHEN MOTHERS EXPECT THEIR CHILDREN TO BE LI'L ANGELS (READ OBEDIENT). SO, CANCEL ALL MEETINGS WIH FRIENDS: PARTYING, LUNCHES, SHOPPING; AT LEAST ON THAT DAY.
5. LET HER HAVE IT THE WAY SHE WANTS; IT'S ONLY ONCE IN A BLUE MOON THAT A MOTHER EVER WANTS ANYTHING.
6. PRESENT HER WITH A SMALL LITTLE GIFT. REMEMBER, I SAID SMALL. NOTHING GRAND; MOTHERS SEE THE JOY IN LITTLE GIFTS. THESE COULD INCLUDE JUST A SIMPLE CARD, OR A BOUQUET, OR A LITTLE PERFUME.
7. FOR SOME MOTHERS, ACTION SPEAKS GREATER THAN ANYTHING. SO JUST LISTEN TO WHATEVER SHE SAYS AND TRY AND DO WHATEVER SHE WANTS YOU TO DO. SHOW HER THAT YOU LOVE HER; IT'S NOT EVERYDAY THAT YOU GET SUCH A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

1. DO NOT GIVE IN TO YOUR SLEEP JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T HELP IT. REMEMBER, MOM GETS EVERY MORNING AT 5:00 am, JUST SO YOU CAN HAVE A PERFECT DAY. SO, IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT YOU MAKE THIS SACRIFICE FOR HER.
2. DO NOT DEMAND A GREAT BREAKFAST FROM HER WITH AN EXCUSE THAT IT'S MOTHER'S DAY. MOTHER'S DAY DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OWN WAY- IT'S FOR YOUR MOM.
3. DO NOT GIVE HER DOUBLE WORK BY ADDING TO THE MESS IN YOUR ROOM, OR FOR THAT MATTER, IN THE ENTIRE HOUSE. MAKE YOUR BED FOR A CHANGE AND SETTLE YOUR ROOM. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PRIM AND PROPER; YOU JUST HAVE TO MAKE IT LOOK NEAT.
4. TRY TO AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH MOM, WHICH IS ALMOST UNAVOIDABLE. JUST TAKE IN EVERYTHING SHE SAYS, EVEN IF ITS ABOUT THE WAY YOU DRESS, OR YOUR FRIENDS; YOU OWE HER THAT MUCH.

IN THE END, JUST BE A LITTLE GOOD FOR HER AND YOU'LL DEFINITELY HAVE HER SPARKLING THAT EVER SO BEAUTIFUL SMILE, WHICH YOU WOULD , OTHERWISE, HARDLY GET TO SEE. THAT, MY DEAR FRIEND, WILL BE YOUR GREATEST GIFT TO YOUR MOTHER.