A Simple "Good Morning" is All we Need

 

Woke up to a beautiful Sunday morning, did a little stretching, had a refreshing self made cup of tea and moved to the most used human invention; my phone. I checked for any overnight notifications, checked for any decent deals on Amazon and moved on to the Whatsapp. I had to burn sometime before my wife gets up, so I started to wish my dear ones a "Good morning" on the phone. So I started to scroll through the log. As the contacts started to glide on the mobile screen, I skimmed through each name, opened their chat log wished them a good Sunday morning and moved on to the next. But while moving from one contact to another I have noticed something very strange.

 A feeling which was initially sub-conscious but it quickly changed from being “Just a thought” to a  “Very intruding Thought”.

Each contact I scrolled through is going through a different phase in their life. Each one is passing through a different flavor of life. Each one is facing a different problem. And most importantly when the conversation moves beyond the good morning wishes, I have a different question to ask each and a different string to play. Excitement on some chats, happiness elsewhere. I was angry on few people and trying to pacify others. Giving suggestions as an expert with some friends and being inquisitive with some more.

Someone recently switched jobs, and I was enquiring about the new culture, new work timings, how he has liked the same. The conversation was more to do with career progression, way forward, salary hike and expectations. Parallel was my conversation with another dear friend who had a baby recently. Inquisition in the first conversation rapidly changed to synonyms of happiness and excitement. He was talking to me about the change baby has brought into his/their life.  While one of my relative was enquiring about my plans of attending our cousin’s wedding, I had someone who was also going through a divorce. While I was happy for one who was getting married, I had to reserve my ear and virtual shoulder to one who was going through a rough patch. While I was expecting one friend of mine to give me her updates on her anniversary trip to Bali post my greetings, I was also replying to someone who asked me to help with their Ladakh itinerary. I had one dear one who was working on a Sunday morning and was telling me (and making me feel too), how lucky I was to have a day off. And another who was biking at some scenic place and sending me whatsapp images from his drive. With one I also had to inquire about his mother’s cancer treatment and extended any help from my side.

Of course there were also those fitness freaks.  Those who promote the gym, body building, XYZ meals and “god knows what” diet. I generally wished her a good morning and she started to tell me why fitness is important, what diet should someone follow, what is the right way to eat mango and many other things. And there are those who gently ask you if you would like to invest in XYZ mutual fund/equity post the good morning wishes.  These all belong to a similar clan. They ooze passion for fitness / investments / etc.

It was as if I moved from playing Jazz, to Metallica, to Classical, then to Rock; From Pop to Opera in my head.

After I had spoken to most of them, relaxed for a while on that Sunday morning, and started to talk to myself. I was wondering so much was happening around with lives of my contacts ( with me playing a patient audience) . While some were notable, few were unfortunate and remaining were experiences. On a broader sense, how vast is this world of ours, how many different things can happen to us, how many experiences, how many feeling and how many roles we play. And thanks to technology, I was living a different version of self with each person I was chatting with, all at the same time. I was a listener, I was a teacher, I was pacifying, I was experiencing emotions of each one of them. If you can imagine my mind to be a dark room and a light ray of specific color for each emotion; the room was nothing short of a disco.

 And you know the bottom line; I had a perception / opinion on each of them. Which may or may not resonate the emotion of my friend with whom I was chatting. I may have perceived the pain / joy / excitement they were going through on a very different scale.  Surely, there is an entirely different phase that is happening in each one of us. Each of us is fighting or enjoying a different thing.

And a simple Good Morning is all that we require to ensure each other that we are here to share come what may the phase of life we all are going through.

Sakethursforever : )

Those two words.... GET & DESERVE

 

It was one of those days when Babaji visited the city for a divine lecture, what his beloved disciples call Satsang. It was a rainy evening with most parts of the city either in darkness or in ankle deep water. God bless those places which unfortunately have both. However, the lecture shed is a huge 5 acre structure with decent amenities to all those who visit the 2 day event which is scheduled twice every year. Crowd is taken care with Food, Water and facilities to relax for those who travel from outside of the city. Precariously planned by volunteers, rain has not affected the proceedings much unlike the other parts of the city where life has come to a standstill. After talking about Karma and its effects, ways to live a content life not a happy life, finding God within and not in temples or mosques….the lecture went on. After two and half hours of spiritual awakening, everytime few lucky ones get a chance to walk up to Babaji, seek his blessings and ask him any question. A routine most of the spiritual leaders follow. A young girl into her secondary school was patiently listening for long time, waiting for her turn to ask a question. She was one of those lucky ones for the day and proudly sat in the front row.  A twinkle in her eyes and pointed face always made her stand out and easily recognizable. Probably divinity too was on her side, as Riya got the opportunity to question first……

Some 20 kilometers away, Rohit was watching the down pour through the window of 21^st floor at the Peace Residency block 3. No one other than the clock in his room knew he stood there watching the sky cry for over 20 minutes now. Immersed deep into his thoughts, nothing seemed to have disturbed his stare into the infinity. He seemed almost like an immovable bundle of disappointment. Shoulders burdened & down and his knees felt week.  He wondered if the grey clouds overhead would ever leave. Both out of the night sky, as well as his life.  The Occasional thunder resembled his agitated heartbeat. Loud and monstrous.  A poster on the wall to his left read, Most things will be okay, if not today eventually. But it seemed like eternal, not eventual. Running through a rough patch with his start-up, that morning he lost his major client who gave maximum business.  Most people told Rohit that he was a great employee but not a good leader.  While leaving his high paying job, his manager did advise; ’ Rohit, you are too good to run a business’. ’You need to be a Jugadu and cut few corners now & then as a business owner. I don’t think you are meant for that. ’ Rohit never gave much thought about it. He was confident and planned his way forward as always. Babaji's program was running live on the youtube channel, Rohit was watching for some time now. Though his laptop did not have his pair of ears and attention till then. And one question dragged him back to consciousness. The question made him forget all his thoughts and just focus on 2 words. The same question that the young bright girl asked babaji….

A cab entered gate no. 4 of the Peace Residency. It was occupied by 4 youngesters who started to come to their friends place. With a bottle of Champagne and other party equipment. One sitting in the seat next to the driver powered the window down. It gradually opened half a quarter. Struggling to compete with the sound of rain he shouted ’Purav, Block 4.. 702..! ’ The guard signaled to driver to take 3 left and tried to write down the cab no. Purav in the living room was elated, reading the email for 24^th time since that afternoon. He was the one selected to represent the companies’ India operations at the global level. Selected word would definitely undermine his efforts, he fought his way up to this opportunity.  Joined barely two and a half years prior to today. He completely excelled in all the lines of businesses and has streamlined the processes for smooth functioning of the organization. He has established healthy contacts with every department within and those on the client side too.  This opportunity not only powered his growth within the organization, it also opened new doors. Now he can connect and be in the recall of his global counterparts. Very vital connections could be established which will launch him into the leadership roles too, which he always wanted to get into. He did cut few corners during his tenure, but all of that helped him inboxed the email he kept re-reading today. This early achievement made few eyebrows raise and took few feet away. He was enjoying the rain since the afternoon alone at his balcony.  It seemed as if the heavens opened up sending abundant blessings continuously. And the occasional thunder seemed never-ending applause. Purav was expecting his friends anytime and was getting off a phone call. It was his mom on the other end. It is nature’s majestic law that your mom is always happy if you are.  His mom sounded equally elated and happy. Just before disconnecting, she said ’listen all this is his grace…Hail Babaji. There is satsang happening right now, do join the program on television and you should seek his blessings’. If not for the divinity she meant, it was his obligation to say yes to his mom. Purav got off the call and switched on the television to see a young girl ask that very question to babaji….

The young girls name was called up by the volunteer. Riya  got up, looked around the hall as if she was assessing the crowd. Walked confidently looking straight at the podium where there was a mike setup meant for the selected ones to ask questions. She looked determined and focused. However, there was a peculiar expression on her face which said she wanted to know which way it is. She finally reached the podium, took a deep breath, gently bent down and bowed to babaji. She turned to audience and greeted them with folded hands. People were expecting she would ask questions that seemed cute and relatable to her age. ’Babaji how to secure good marks? Babaji how to become a Doctor? etc’ . To everyone’s disbelieve she firmly sounded ’Babaji Im confused. Im confused how the life works…?? Is it that You Deserve what you Get… or is it that you Get what you Deserve?? ’

No one in the shed thought Riya would ask such a question. Her question echoed in the shed for few seconds. There was a silence and only sound that was audible was of the rain pouring on the metallic overhead covers. Riya herself wondered if someone somewhere hit a pause button. Why everyone went into a statue mode. Such intense question from a young girl was never expected. Everyone waited for what Babaji would say. Miles away Rohit was dragged back to reality and Purav got immersed into thoughts. Such was the effect of that question. While Rohit began to think if he got what he deserved after all the hard work. Purav was thinking if he deserved what he got, way early in his career. Both of them, along with a flock of satsangis and the young girl…all the eyes were pinned on Babaji. The intensity of the rain seemed to gradually reduce as if it was allowing people to concentrate and listen the answer.

Babaji took a moment to look at the girl. And he smiled. His mustache helped highlight his smile and there was some attraction to his charismatic figure. Whenever someone asked a question, he always plays a pause. A very little one.  Allowing everyone to focus on the question and gather attention on him for the answer. As if he was preparing the listeners for a journey into unknown. He finally began to answer, ’Young girl, you made me remember my childhood classmate….she looked exactly like you who always helped me in my homework….’  Everyone giggled. Then babaji said ’Listen ’. This time he was very affirmative. And everyone’s attention was focussed on babaji. He began to say ’Brothers, Sisters, Sons and my beloved daughter…the question you asked is of paramount importance and the answer is a complex one  But I’m here to answer in a simple sense. A river origins in the Himalayas, flow down to the plains, meet people & along the way helps them and finally merges into the ocean. Now the river is at peace and it no longer has to flow. It no longer has to move down and help anyone else.  It never asks the mighty lord if it deservers something or if she gets something throughout its journey. It keeps flowing and helping people. Similarly our life is not to get something or deserve something. We are here on a purpose. A purpose which each one of us has to find out. Only way you could find that out is by being spiritual. Just like the river, ought everything you are to do today. Complete all your dharmas towards work, people, nature and the almighty.  He shall take care of what you GET and what you DESERVE. What you get and what you deserve are merry gifts. Gifts of Karma. Results of what you do. Way you do and how you do. All of us know we reap what we sow. Sometimes it may be a delayed reap. But you shall definitely reap what you sow. Grapes to Grapes….Mangoes to Mangoes…. Bittergoud to Bittergoud.  Today your duty Riya…. is to study, make friends, play, learn, help your parents, grow your personality and remember to thank the lord every day for the wonderful gifts. Similarly everyone here have their todays to-do list sorted. Just follow the routine. You shall reach your reap too eventually…….

Both Rohit and Purav heard what babaji said. And continued their routine irrespective of ups & downs. The girl made a list of to-do things and pinned up on her cupboard. The city woke up to a bright sun light. Every one followed their daily chores. And Babaji travelled to a new city and continued to guide many others on the path of enlightenment.

 

So what do you think…. YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE….or…..YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET….!!!

 

Sakethursforever : )

Unpacking Memories

 

You just don’t un-pack your backpack after a trip, you un-pack lot of memories as well. Just back from a trip with my team (yes the office team), I un-packed a lot of memories too. A trip that brought us close to each other, build an alliance and a great deal of camaraderie. I witnessed blossoming from 'Individuals' to 'US' on the trip.

With over two years of virtual interaction, first thing that manager told me when he looked at me is You look younger (Smaller) than you appear on the daily call. And first thing that flashed on mind is how he is so tall. The one who asks for updates every morning and evening seemed soft on the calls is really an intimidating (giant) figure. Had it been a physical interaction on actionable every day, I would definitely be more productive considering his physic and body language.

It was definitely a different feeling meeting people in person & shaking hands and not just greeting on your monitor. Pulling each other’s legs & pranking them and not just obeying the commands. From hesitantly asking my colleagues to fill in for me or attend some work of mine while I’m on leave, now I can command for their help.

Rarely do you realize the levels of camaraderie with your team on the first outing. It was definitely a culmination of different people with different backgrounds & varied experiences meet and play a melody in sync. The gang was just perfect in all aspects.

However what did the trip did to us.. ??

It made us a family and no more a team. Or may be a better way to put it is that we all promoted ourselves to a tag called Office Family and not just a team anymore. Most importantly, the trip gave me rights over my teammates to reach out to them for help/suggestions or anything else without hesitation.  We made vows to continue our holiday (irrespective of us being in the same team or not). Only time will tell if that ever happens

While it was fully worth travelling from casually talking about Delhi’s weather to why Kriti should quit her job and join family business. It is a journey I covered during our holiday which definitely made us better mates. I still cannot believe few things she claims to have done. One of which is polluting water cooler at her school with BP (while in 9^th grade). And how she attracts foreigners with her charm is a story for another day.

 From reminding each other of the time sheets we have to fill to yelling at Prity while she isn’t posing properly for a click is yet another testimony to the intimacy we have built during the trip. I have never seen people who would ROFL for straight 15 mins on a street side dhaba. She is an exception. And her love for roads and laying down on the pavement is fable worth listening to.

However paramount was the fact that excursion transformed me from an employee who is always politely obliging to managers words to telling him you treat me like a step son Suraj, everything I do is wrong…!! He claiming to be Ajit Doval like, proclaiming to be the best singer and mind reader, my Manager is a Master of all Trades. I have seen food bloggers, but I have met a Tea blogger for the first time. You say Suraj Tea…? Doesn’t matter if it is 3AM, 12PM, 7AM or just after a meal… You always get treated with a sizzling cup of Chai.

While these instances are just icing on the cake, there is a big chocolate cake beneath. Experiences, feelings, thoughts and everything associated with those 3-4 days were memorable. Special mentions are when the Green Tea party starts at 9AM and continues up to sunrise. Epic it is.

I have packed all my memories, filed them and saved them on those inerasable corners of my mind. Splendid trip that. Clicked moments not only through my mobile but also through my heart. Wish these trips go on (fingers crossed).

 

Sakethursforever : )

But, how do I transcibe

It is indeed a beautiful date when you spend time in peace and in the company of nature. I hear a lot of stories when we (me and the nature) look at each other hamd in hand. 

But,

How Do I Transcribe...?

"Strolling through those lush green woods,

Each of them whispering about their brotherhood,

They tell me a fable of them standing tall,

How do I transcribe all that I recall.

Watching those gentle clouds glide by,

Blending into one another while they fly,

Each one voice an yarn into my ear,

How do I transcribe all that I hear.

Running down the hills & cutting across the valley,

The voilent river waves at me while it rally,

Narrates me about all of the beautiful ramble,

How do I transcribe what I wangle.

A cool and refreshing breeze it was,

Gently brushing me as if there is a cause 

Tells me stories of all places it has been,

How do I transcribe all that it has see..."

Sakethursforever : )

Thinking it is impossible to making it possible

 Though being a sport enthusiast; love playing cricket, badminton, a small time trekker, and enjoy walking while talking to self. I have not taken fitness as a routine exercise as yet in life. And then came this opportunity (may be a challenge I should call) of walking 100 Kms in 10 days. Thanks to my work place, where people believe in fitness and gives it equal importance if not more while compared to gross profit to the organisation. I saw my colleagues signing up for the challenge, Employee engagement team mailing about event and whatsapp groups speaking about it, some neuron inside my head said; "Saketh why not". 

Then came the saga of how things went from "Thinking it is impossible to making it possible".

So we were to walk certain distance everyday, had liberty of recording the activity on any of the fitness apps and upload the screenshot EOD on the event dash board. So the first thought that came to my mind is, how do I manipulate this app? Is there somehow I can cheat the app? How can I report higher no.s while actually not walking that much. Can I stretch my hands to & fro and see if no. of steps increase. Or may be put the mobile on a cane swing (one I love sitting on during the tea time) and give it a hard push, expecting it to keep moving for 3-4 minutes at least. Also thought of asking my neighbor who goes for an early morning walk at 5 AM everyday to carry my mobile along (expecting him to do 2-3 kms). 

While one half of my mind was thinking of all these crazy ideas, a quarter of my mind thinking if this is actually possible, a small part within myself said why not just try and see what distance you move everyday under normal walks of life and then decide if this is possible. Even before the event actually flagged off, I checked on my mobile how much do I walk in a day. It was nothing more than 3 Kms. But the math for the event says a participant needs to walk 10 Kms a day to complete 100Kms in 10 days. So I needed to pick up 7 more Kms from somewhere. Task cut out.

End of day 1, my app read a 6.35 Kms. Which meant I'm 3 point something short of my daily average (excuse my quick math). Then when I layed back that night, between closing my eyes and sleeping I started to fiddle with whatsapp and the "Randstad Trailwalkers" group stricked  my bubble of confidence which was silently sleeping within in deep corners of my heart. Saw colleagues doing more than 10Kms and giving words of encouragement; this  was much necessary. Which is when I started to believe the impossible can be possible. 

Next day I have again clocked same 6 odd kilometers. Which meant my deficit went higher up. I have analysed when can I get more time to walk and increase the meter.  I chalked out my daily routine, I figured out I watch a 30 minutes stock market show every evening. I shifted from watching the show on laptop to mobile. Plugged in the earphones and started walking while listening to the markets update. The kilometers shot up by 3. Next to add to the list was the morning walk (had to alter my wake-up time). This added another 2 Kilometers. But the catch here was that I had to get back home, get ready and gear up for the morning status call with my team. The call usually takes 25-30 minutes. So I came back home from the morning walk, freshened up, plugged in the earphones and walked around the balcony attending the call. All of this made sure I clocked 8-9 Kilometers for sure. Next was to figure out how to accommodate more time. Thanks to work from home, the client interactions mostly are digital visits over phone. I have started to take them from the lawn walking around by not just sitting in front of the laptop. Holding my evening tea having a lazy walk in the evenings was a bonus. Add to all of that, one of the amazing thing I introduced myself to was Pod-Cast. Post dinner walks listening to great people speak was yet another experience.

The key was to figure out where all you can accommodate walking in your daily life. What all things I could do while I was still walking. 

Third day when I clocked 15Kms, though I slept with satisfaction, there was a niggle with my ankle. Poor one, did not know much about the challenge. A quick google search suggested putting my legs into luke warm water for 5-10 mins before the bed time which worked well. However, did not have to do from day 5. I observed my walking speed went up since day 5 and I was able to cover 20% excess distance within the same time. A friend joined me for a walk one, looked at my speed of walking and commented "such aggressive walk...hope you are not up for a protest against the government".

Speaking of positives, while walking you get a lot of time to talk to self, understand deep inside thoughts which are untold to self too. Analyse things in a better way because while walking your brain is absolutely free to think and process anything. And believe me, the processor speed with your brain goes few giga bytes higher when your legs are working. One quote from my favorite movie says "We do not recognize miracles when they happen, and there is no point in recognizing them once they are already happened". Similarly when my fitness app read 100 Kms in 8 days, it was nothing short of a miracle. I was elated and happy because this was something I thought was impossible. But as Sachin on the Adidas ad says, Impossible is nothing.! 

While leaders and colleagues on the whatsapp group boosted confidence, the quest to pour something interesting into routine life (considering how 2020 is) was one of the prime motivation. And there is nothing better than a fitness challenge which can add spice to life. I understand 100 Kms is a small thing considering people run marathons and do triathlon. But for a simple common person like me this is something to cherish. Specially that day when I clocked 18 odd kms, I was like WoW.

However, the bigger challenge now is to continue the routine and do at
least a decent amount of walk, if not 100 Kms in 10 Days. Looking forward for a fitter and a happier ME.

Sakethursforever : )

 

Resilient, Reliable and Resistant

When your wounds are deeper than the flesh,

When your destination is long ahead of the horizon,

When your thoughts race past the time and present,

When what you feel flood out of the brimming heart....

When the grief is heavier than the memories that lead your past,

When the gloom around engulfs all the space around you,

When what you mean is deeper then the words you spell,

When your thoughts are paced, swifter than your actions....

When you realize the music playing within has changed the tune,

When you realize the course of your thoughts have changed their flow,

When you realize every face is a mask of infinite experiences,

When you realize every melting second is a fighting distance travelled….

When you want to fight with the unknown within,

When you want to play the role of a stranger hiding within,

When you want to curse the existing soul within,

When you walk the path which is not guided from within... 

When you forgive your past for having you on its journey,

When you overlook how the next second would embrace you,

When you pamper your ability to fight a little longer,

When you urge your virtues to ignore the world around you....

You feel someone bringing in new warmth,

You are illuminated with the brightness, that someone brings in,

You rise above your limits,

You glide through the misery,

You fight all the odds,

You wait for nothing and...

You see someone else on the mirror. Far more Resilient, Reliable and Resistant.....

Sakethursforever : )

But for my Team.!

Mondays are usually busy days at corporate."Pull up your socks", "Go all guns blazing", "Such is life you have to face it", "Smart work will makes us stand apart", "We need to turn the tide", "The pipeline looks bleak"....and many more motivational words pump our fuel tanks to fullest for a impact full week ahead. This Monday could have been nothing but similar.

Reviews, Sales forecast, Pipeline discussion, Client management, Client Queries, Prospective Clients, Industry mapping; and the list goes on and on.

But for my team. 

Today was definitely an experience that I would remember for long long time to come.The routine Monday review call has took off some 5 minutes ago. I in front of my team, reporting manager, Department head, business head and others. I just lost myself. Generally we prepare what we speak. But today I was little more than carried away by how the call started. It was not until my business head called out my name and said "Satya looks confused, he thinks what is happening in the sales review call". I quickly gathered my thoughts back on my pretty bleak performance. But those impact-full conversation stayed with me a littler longer.  And these are thoughts that would occupy my mind between the time I going to bed and the time I fall asleep. 

As I logged into the call, there were jargons definitely playing out loud, but they were on a different turf all together. People were discussing philosophy with tinge of spirituality. My department head started to speak of how he was questioning few inner quests of his. How reading few books enlightened him. How it has changed his life and finally e spoke about the famous phase"Me in me, talking to me in you....". Then the business head swiftly took over the conversation and spoke about 7 years he spent in an educational institute curving towards spirituality. It has to do with what inner engineering is. Both the heads spoke about "How a certain knowledge changed them and what they have learnt out of it". My mind, then quickly recollected what my reporting manager, who once told me about Yoga and it's benefits.

I already said, I was blown away with the thoughts, flown away in their words and gained my senses only after the business head called out my name.

One amazing thing my fiance taught me is to introspect the day. Specially those incidents with touch your heart and stay there for some time. And her philosophical mind and talks are something that I fall for. So are few close friends of mine.

So since the call got over, I started introspecting. Searching deep within. Where does my opinion lay on similar grounds. The late stroll after dinner helped me discover the same. Ramayana, the amazing epic is a great story. Nothing to do with religion, saffron, belief and godism. Ramayana is a great lesson of ethics. The whole story told me, at least that "There is always one and one way of doing certain things. The Ethical Way. Nothing else." Truth may vary from person to person, circumstances to circumstances and time to time. But Ethical way is the only one way which always maintains it's sanctity. 

To put things into perspective, if I had to tell (on that Call) what I have learnt from stories I heard, Epics I read and thought process I have; I would follow ethics. Always. Different times call for different laws, Different religions call for different cultures, Different circumstances call for different versions of truth. But Ethical way performing your duty is the ultimate.

I would say; "when in doubt don't follow your heart, mind or soul; ask if you are a Ethical Human. This place turns out to be one of the best places to live in.

PS: When you are of a certain mindset, I generally have people and teams of similar mindset around you.

Sakethursforever : )

That one Phone Call

A forest with thick plantation, which filtered almost all the sunlight before it hit me. As the light started to dip at a quick pace, a cover of moist wind swept the field, giving me enough chills down my spine. Unknown to me was the way forward. Each stride I take could either bring me closer to my objective or would push me into the abyss. I was wondering, if I really chose to play this game? Even before I could answer if I was, yet another question popped up, am I equipped with required ammunition to fire all my cylinders. It was a situation where I'm expected to fight unknown and unseen foe. Mostly those which were not under my control. Rule of any game is to let the ball (thrown at you) cross a particular line in given time on the ground. Here I only had the ground where I was fighting . Neither did I have the ball nor could I see the line. It is one of those times where everything around you is mystical and perplexing. I had to figure out who's throwing the ball and from where. And then to decide for myself where the line is. 

Heart pounding with unknown rush of emotions and it was little over 15 minutes that I closed my eyes to witness the dense forest that I was thrown into.  I opened my eyes to  a shady evening when I sat alone on the solitary bench with birds chipping on the tree that umbrellaed the bench. I realized a young couple next me having fun time and boys playing some tireless soccer right in front of me. Some one jogging past me and few oldies walking along the path intense with some discussion. I felt if they too were experiencing a raging war inside them, just like the one I did. I was wondering if they too were lost inside a dense forest just like me not knowing which stride to take. Wondered if they too could experience the unknown power weighing them down on their shoulders. I felt weak from within. Not because I was treated with intense pain, but because I had no control on anything that was happening. All I could do is to wait and watch the game. I also started to realize the hopelessness of not having enough power to know my enemy. The basic definition of a fight is to tackle and win over something which is known to you. But, here I'm just pulling the string, clutching the bow and firing the arrow in all 360 degrees. 

Rather than finding a way out, I was probably looking for someone to bail me out. Probably for someone to hold my hand and hover me into comfort. May be for someone who would look into the future and tell me when I would face this faceless enemy. The most cruel one ever. 

Just then came that one ring on my mobile. A brief 5 minute talk which soothed every hot nerve inside me. By no means it was that sort of a help which I expected. No, the person has not guided me out of the space I'm stuck. Neither did she help me try harder. Nor did the person on the other side  of the phone call fight on my behalf. Only thing I was told is that this is a phase everyone passed through, a battle everyone face and a struggle which only makes everyone tougher. Only thing you have to do is to sit back, relax and enjoy the show. Yes that show where you are the protagonist. I realized, sometimes all you need is someone saying," I have gone through all this, I came out successfully and it is just a phase ".  It tells you that you are not the first one, neither would you be the last fighting such unorthodox battle within. "If someone could do it why not you..?" is the medicine for the day. Oldies walking past me already went through and those soccer played would definitely go through. 

When a power you cant see and circumstances you can't control weigh you down, just remember it happens. Patience is a virtue that you need to bring out of your armory, not anxiety.

The ball would be thrown at you and you would strike it past the line. Just be patient. 

So thank you. And I'm indebted to you.

Sakethursforever  

A Generation In Between or May be more

It was when I boarded the train back home (Mumbai to Hyderabad) after a decent gap. Generally, the graph of the crescendo at the railway station decreases as you board the train into an AC coach. On contrary this time, the crescendo kept increasing as I made my way into the coach, and a gentle push on the cabin door treated me with a blast of laughs, loud talks and a “Lunchtime Class Room” kind of atmosphere. Only moments later did I discover a bunch of students with a jersey representing their school and a tracksuit. Some with a headset on, few having a munch of something that is packed from the boxes, few trying to climb up on to the berth. I made my way to my seat allotted and as it turned out I was seated right next to a batch of young boys. 11 PM train it was and there was nothing other than planning to hibernate for the day. However, the bunch of kids was excited with their journey and the intensity of their voice is the best indicator of the same.

Then came the first shocker of my journey.

I settled into my berth and started to read something that I carried. It was about 15 minutes before departure. One of those kids, Avik his name was came to me. “You are reading Keepers of Kalachakra by Ashwin Sanghi, nice book it is. I read it a couple of months earlier”. He turned away from me and began to tell his mate “areee….I told you remember, Ashwin Sanghi who writes books like that of Dan Brown”. I was surprised to say the last and hailed the scale of knowledge about books that little one had. However, little did I know, this was just the start of what I call a “spree of staggering surprises” those school planned to treat me with. Shortly then one kid told the other, “I shall buy a cool drink when the train stops at the next station”. “Dude, this is Duronto, which wouldn’t stop anywhere until it reaches its destination. This is a superfast train and look at the coaches, they are not ICF coaches, they are LBH coaches. The germen technology highly suitable for high speed”. I’m not exaggerating, I was stunned with the information about the rail coach the kid had. “Oh, yes I did not recognise, all the high speed trains including Rajdhani and Shatabdi have LBH coaches” said the other kid this time. The one silently staring into his mobile sprang up and added his bit of knowledge to the conversation “You know what we get food on this train, for free” stressed on the latter half of his statement. “And clean bedding too. Both food and bedding are outsourced to the contractors who make a lot of money from those contracts”. I told myself, these kids have more information than what I had at their age. Just imagine 13-14 year kids talking about what they just did. With more topics of this sort I did not, I started to believe these kids challenged my expectations. If talking about Dan Brown, LBH Coaches and Food contract was not enough, Rithvik- a stout chubby kid with geek looks explained his mates about the Railwire WIFI and how google helped to power 500 odd railway stations in India with free wifi.

I dragged myself out of the amazement I was stormed with and believe me it was a tedious task to pull out of the topics these kids were talking. As I began to immerse into the fiction and flipping pages, train started to attain high speeds that those LBH coaches are designed for. Their faculty came up to them shortly after. After giving the necessary instructions and asking the kids to behave themselves, the teacher said, ”Go through your respective ‘case sheets’ and history of the case as well…we shall have a demo round in the morning”. Now being an MBA graduate I know what a case is supposed to be. I couldn’t place my perception about the case into the present context taking into consideration the age of those kids. So, in an un-resistible quest to quench my thirst of confusion, I began to inquire the teachers about my stint with these highly innovatively talented people for last one hour. She said the kids were attending a conference in Hyderabad where each one is giving a speech about the present day's issues which the world is facing. The memories of my school days came crashing back into my system and topics like overpopulation, pollution, poverty, untouchability etc ran through my mind. I then spoke to those teachers for some time and quietly got back to my book, then slowly into the eternal world of dreams.

Barely 7 O’ Clock, read my wristwatch, the first glance I had was of those kids, one with a paper in hand trying hard to remember the content, one with his iPad frantically scrolling through, the other kid scribbling something in a notepad and others doing similar things. I got up, looked at the commitment those kids showed and gradually went about to complete my morning duty. As, I washed my face, looked into the mirror and I found myself very fresh. Maybe I was getting ready and fresh for something that shook me a little while later. As I came back to my seat, my blast of shock was ready. Hot and Spicy.

I admit to the fact that I was feeling nostalgic and wanted to hear what those kids spoke and how they did. Those teachers were facing the kids and the first kid began his speech looking deep into his iPad.  “Crypto Currency is a digital currency came into existence in………” after hearing to those few lines, I was flabbergasted (tell me if there is a better word). Even before I could come out of the shock wave that I graciously accepted, the kid started speaking about blockchain association and its negative impact on the economy. He completed his speech, then a lean stick like kid with a comparatively huge iPad raised his head while everyone around was staring at him. He gently said “4 minutes 28 seconds”. I was still in the la-la land, virtually feeling awkward when the teacher gave a broad smile and said, “Why don’t you cover up next 30 seconds with Indian Government and it’s plans of launching our own cryptocurrency”. I remember last night the teacher telling me, these kids are from 8^th and 9^th standards. And going by what was happening around me, it was little hard to believe their standard was just that. “Miss, there is not much interesting information about Lakshmi the Indian cryptocurrency, However, I found JIO COINS more interesting,” he said. It is exactly then that I realized, it isn’t just when a beautiful girl smiles at you or when you get placed that you pinch yourself to make sure it is not a dream. There are also these kinds of instances where you wish to believe, this isn’t a dream.

If the first kid gave me a shock wave, a high tide of the same was yet to follow. The chubby kid was next in line and started to speak about the USA and it’s stand on trade regulations with developing countries like India, Turkey etc. His was followed by a lecture on LGBT rights. I was wondering if kids of this age were even allowed to talk about issues like the one I’m listening to. The speeches or rather the lecturers those kids gave varied from Cross-Border Infiltration to UN intelligence agencies. I particularly loved one kid who spoke about digital laws and cybercrimes. I liked him may be because, out of all the topics that were spoken by them, this was one I had little information about.

After about 45 minutes of me being in awe, I found myself googling about the topics those kids were speaking about and silently listening to them in detail. These were speeches on issues no doubt, but those which are not expected to be delivered by school kids. I was always interested in debates and elocution competitions. However, I never spoke anything more than Poverty, Population, and Pollution. Believe me, it was a pleasing sight to see those bright kids and it was a verbal beauty to listen to them speak about the various things with clarity and impact. They really made my day.

Pursuing a Masters in Business Administration and aspiring to become a manager shortly, I wonder if I have that spark in me which I saw in those kids. At that particular point of time I felt those kids were not just a few generations away, they were light years ahead.

Sakethursforever : )

First of my Mumbai Diaries

I sat by the window, breeze that came after a drizzle, moon that came out of the filtering clouds, silence that came after a thought and finally the memories that came after all this.

One amazing thing, other than the height of those buildings in Mumbai are the lovely windows. Wide enough to let the torrent of breeze greet me, feel every nice thing that can ever be, bluge the loose pyjamas, undo my hair and bring all the freshness in. The wide window sill actually allows you to step into the window and enjoy the feel of feeling what it is.

July 14,2017, 2:52 AM on my clock. With the open laptop playing ADHM, my ear phones in place, on the sill of my hostel room's window on 10th floor was I. The railway lines and locomotives next to building never rested, so did those flights that were landing and taking off from the airport. Breeze hit me and taken away every pain of mine and so did it bring in few fresh ones too. Two dialogues from the movie that I love the most hit me hard today like every time.

Saba says to Ayan "Guftugu Bezer logon ki aadat hai. Jo anke kehdeti haai, unke aage lafzo ka darja kya."

I paused for a while, took a deep breath, looked up to find a smiling moon and lost half an hour to my self. Something happened and I found my self taking in glups of air and finding the rythm of air a bit more. Fingers twinching each other and eyes not able to process what it sees. Some time later I found my self back on the movie. Then came another one.

Tahir this time says to Ayan again, " Daree hue log, aksar alfazo ke peeche chup jaathe hai". 

Words certainly have that power to stall a rapid river. I felt my knees weak, stomach hallow, took in empty gulps of air which made my thoughts heavy. A frantic recollection of memoir that strike you. I closed the laptop screen in a jiff, plucked out the earphones, gazed at the city lights that were glittering and say to self; how many more out there feel the same. Hope there is at least One. 

Sakethursforever : )

Detour to Paradise Yet Again

Fed up with unresponsive AutoCAD window, I was stressed & thought to myself; definitely time for some coffee. As I  minimized the window on the system, I observed the black screen with grids and design making way to a bright yellow flower. The desktop looked vibrant. My little dark cubicle seemed to brighten up a bit. Yellow petals with early morning dew & sun light at dawn twinkling on the moist face of the petals. Whole of the flower seemed safe in asylum of long greeny leaves. She clicked it, on her holiday last month. A person crossed my mind. Her cheeks looked brighter than those yellow petals, shine she brought up into my life was exponentially more than the shine of dawning sun and the dew drops with a twinkle resembled her moist, innocent eyes. The erratic design of a fixture block on AutoCAD was on my mind till then, it made way to the beautiful design of fortune I had planned for life. It is sometimes not anything else, when you forget someone's name; it is just that you are far too awed.

Diya..!! 

It has been a while, may be a day since I heard from her. Away she was, attending a leadership training program organised by her work place. She took a flight few days back, when I gave her a tight hug and wished a safe flight at the domestic terminal.

It is pretty unusual, when you think of someone and the person start knocking you on phone. But sometimes, unusual is always usual. Specially when it is Diya. A charming image of her's appeared on my mobile screen. She, seated on my bike posing with a lop sided smile and a blue top black jeans. As in picked the call " Listen, the charging is low." That statement already cut off any chances of pleasantries. " I'm done with the training a day in advance, please find me a flight tonight or tomorrow morning back home." Before I could say yes or no, " also let me know if we can have a late dinner today or a early breakfast tomorrow." That also meant she wanted me to pick her, and drop her home. She hung up and the line went dead. A while since, AutoCAD was again gaining grip over my mind, a message popped up.

Bling....!!
< How could you do that. You claim me to be best part in your life and you are now playing a thrifty. >

I smiled and replied, < Haha >

< Why so kanjussi, my office would have reimbursed the fare. What the point in booking a premium ticket on train. > she snapped back.

I replied.  < Flights were full >

< What do you expect me to do for 9 hours on the train. God only know >

I smiled to myself and said, < Get to the hotel and sleep tight, I'll wake you up in the morning. >

< Please wake me up, and also pick me up from the station. Please do not plan anything mean while picking me up. Reached my room. >
< Dont bother about picking you up from the railway station, you will love it. >

I hoped she felt " I love nothing more than you Saketh." 

I knew she hated early morning travel plans, but I had mine too. I booked her on an early morning train back home. I woke her up in the morning and made sure she reached station. Coach was B2, seat was 24.

< Good Morning, reached station boarded, thanks for waking me up. > I received her message. I immediately called her, I could listen to her ring tone. " I thought you might have slept after waking me up" she said. She knew I preferred to grab any little possibility of dreaming. "How could I, had to make sure you hopped on board baby." I tried to keep my tone low fearing she might listen me off air too.  She sounded irresistibly lovable when she said, "Aww that is why you are a darling." "I can make myself a bigger darling in a while" I too tried sounding sweet. "Obviously, you will. But how...??" I could feel her excitement. "That is when I take the seat opposite to you, the seat no. 23." "What the f..." she swallowed the last word. "I'm always besotted by you girl", I said as I made myself comfortable on front seat, gifting a chocolate and myself to her.

"You are the biggest darling" she said, I could feel the excitement. "You too are one" I said " by the way...hang on you called me a thrifty, Economy and a kanjuss..." I tried to scoff her.  Before she said anything I said, " I did three things after you called me last night. One, I booked myself a late night flight to this place. Two, I booked both of us separately on this premium train. Three, I mailed to my lead to intimate my absence today." "Sometimes you  confuse me saketh. I cant really choose between a sweet boy friend and crazy lover in you." That statement was nothing short of a tickle.  I looked at her and said in a lower voice " that is how much I planned, to spend some time with you Diya. It's always a bliss to give my girl a bit more than what she asked. You asked for a pick.  I just thought why not pick you up from your source rather than making it to your destination."

It took some time for her to believe that, it was not a dream. We were having a great conversation and breakfast together. I asked if I deserved a high-five. She said I deserved a couple of them. She raised both her hands, brought closer to mine and it was a perfect cheers. Something bothered me. Those were not her's. Hands that came in contact with mine were far more rough to be my girl.

The silence around made way to a crescendo. Railway announcements, people shouting in chaos, The sound of coffee, tea, samosa bread omlet in air. I fought with something and opened my eyes to find Manoj in front of me, vigorously trying to wake me up with both his hands. He sounded frustrated, "You wanted me to pick you, fine, you wanted me to wake you up too....it took me a while to find your coach and berth. Now leave my hands and get down dumbo....both of us need to get to work."

I quickly gained conscious, flexed my body, rubbed my eyes and cursed my fortune for taking a detour to Paradise yet again.

sakethursforever : )

A Short Fable Of A Sweet He & She

Clear skies, Harvest moon and twinkling stars, far away from the routine life, just next to what he always thought was life; the broken resort in the valley was his final lap. The resort was his choice and only the first half of their holiday. He virtually ran something more than a marathon for all his life. Today, he found himself calmly letting the moment to settle with in his system and started to allow himself understand he is finally over the line. For the first time for 29 years, he did not have to think of next race. Personally he was won the biggest race. A Master's degree from a renowned institute, a decent pay at work and now this. He took a deep recline gazing into the infinity thinking if the next biggest challenge will be of taking someone else's responsibility.

It was more than three quarters before either of them spoke. It was their first hour spent together without a task on hand. Last couple of months were full of plans, parties & preparation. And here they were after the wedlock. Pushing a gulp of warm air and courage, he broke the the silence. He read out a few lines he penned down many years before, during his initial tryst with her. 

Laying under the Starry Skies,

A radiant white apple floating over the sky,

I dim my eyes to frame the Sight,

My hand's in a seek of another one to hold,

One of those times - I think of You.

Moments later, his hand found a company, lips found a gratified smile and his mind found the reference to the phrase he was written miles ago in time.  Then followed a whisper with a warm hug "I did these lines for you, and waited all these years just to see those eyes lit up the evening." They remained undisturbed, enjoying their stay there forever, with the full moon silently witnessing the sweet pair.

The couple left the place few days later to their next destination. It was her choice this time. A long cantilever stretch extending fairly into the waters, their table was further extended to far left. While the remaining couples faced each other, they faced the infinity and it was blue waters forever. Both of them seemed in the endless desire of being in each other's company. Hand in hand, he had his glass of wine to his right and her's was to the left. Melody was all around; mellow of the soft wind gently passing by, birds cooing back to their nests and mellifluous sound of water striking the shore.  

They made their way back to their shack with sun setting to their left. It was few strides later she stopped and began pull him back. She covered his eyes with her hands and read out something she has penned down sometime ago.

A solely stroll on the golden Coast,

Blue to the left and Sand to the right,

Leaving my footprint with each of the stride,

All those prints needed a pair, 

One of those times - I think of you.

He turned back to see a couple's trails on the sand and she found her hands wet. Then followed a whisper with a warm hug, "It was you on my mind when was here last time and I thought there isn't any other place I can tell this to you."  The remained rejoicing their stay there forever, with the dusk sun witness the sweet pair.

The frame of their hands in each other's company along with the moon light made its way on her work desk and the the capture of their trails on the coast made its way on his work desk with orange sun calling it a day. None of the frame had a full capture of the couple, but they were filled with a feeling called Magic.

Sakethursforever : )

Emotionally Practical We

Rahul always loved working late into early hours before an important day making sure he ticked off all the necessities. What accompanied him were his sharp instincts, watchful insights about challenges that he might have to face the next day, a ball which constantly hit the wall, sticky notes to the left of the monitor, a digital clock on the table, a couple of empty coffee mugs. It was indeed an important 20 hours to follow. He had an early morning flight to Mumbai where he would represent his company in signing a prestigious project. Every time he saw his tattoo on his right shoulder dressing up, next thing he did was to call up his hero, back at Hyderabad. He took out his mobile, rang his father expecting him not to pick up his first call as the clock still showed 4 Am. “Hello”, and came a cold response. “Mom, how come you got up so early, temple day today..?”enquired Rahul. “Not really, are you ready, what time is the flight”. “It is at 6.10, 20 minutes’ drive from here and one hour for the check in, I should be fine”. “Anyway Dad’s up.?Or still dreaming about his old Maruthi...?” There was a brief silence as if his mom was preparing for something extreme. “Dad met with an accident last night while returning from the market.” Even before Rahul assessed the situation, she continued “Nothing to worry about, a little bruise on forehead and a cut on his ankle.Doctor assured there’s nothing to worry about, 4 stiches, TT and a couple of tablets that is it”. “For God Sake please let me speak to him” he exclaimed. “Come on, I said there’s nothing to worry about, he mishandled his leg in sleep and the leg started to bleed. Arun uncle was here to take him for dressing”. Half an hour later Rahul reached airport. The LED departure board showed six flights open for boarding and two other flights which were yet to open. Having missed a call earlier, he received his mom’s call the second time in less than 5 minutes. “I know which flight you are looking for, and you exactly know what I called you for.” Rahul let himself wait a while, “Be Practical Rahul”it was more than an affirmative order. “Dad is fine and there is nothing you can do here.” She took a deep breath and pacified him “He needs rest and all of us are here to ensure that. Wound is no more than many scars that you brought home from the football field.” Rahul began to say, “But..” his mom did not let him speak another word “You are 28 now and it is high time you add a bit of practicality to every decision you take.”

“Flight is re scheduled to 2AM Karthik, I guess if there is no further delay you can pick me up at 5 from the airport.”. Indu was returning to Delhi after paying a visit to her parents. Karthik set his alarm clock  and made himself comfortable on the couch thinking it would be the last night before he would get a good night kiss and bed coffee in the morning every day. “Jut boarded the flight and about to take off...” Indu sent a message at 2.15.  Karthik made some sandwich, put it into the oven, set the timer on the oven to keep it warm, readied the coffee for her and switched on the geyser. He set everything in place Indu and left to airport. Karthik met Indu right outside the arrivals. Neither of them showed the stress of having a sleepless night. They were only glad that they were together. The clock read 7.30 and Indu arrived at their home. She paid for the cab, took the lift to their flat. Sipping away the coffee that was waiting for her, she called up Karthik. “I just reached home. I hope I shared this coffee with you baby... is the problem fixed” she asked. It was dinner time and it was a week since both Indu and Karthik eat together. “Karthik I’m really lucky, because you care about your things this very much. I’m just glad that I’m your too.” Karthik always loved listening to Indu specially when it was about both of them. “ But sometimes you have to let things go karthik.” He looked up wondering what Indu was speaking about. “I know how much attached you are karthik, I know it was your dream to own a car. But you cannot carry things once the expiry date is done. Today it is just me, but it might be something big tomorrow.”  With a Shaky tone Indu said “Our car is done karthik. No point being emotional. It is high time we plan another one.”

Lakshmi always felt it was a difficult task managing a married life while letting her do what would give her extreme pleasure. She was accompanying her in-laws at a family event. But only thing that ran through her mind was the auditorium room back at the Dance Class where her students were performing, trying to convince the trust members, they would excel at the cultural event at Singapore. She knew it was unfair to choose a preferred student among those she taught, but she had special liking to Priya. Last evening Priya assured she would take care of the event in madam’s absence and also showed poise in winning the members yes. Later that evening Lakshmi received a phone call. “You are on board to Singapore this 25^th madam, your team impressed everyone from the panel. The trust is ready to sponsor and please complete all the necessary formalities before Friday,” said chairman. It was more than a sign of relief to her. Chairman continued, “Especially Priya was Splendid I must say”, this was an added honey. After the practice session a week before their journey, chairman was speaking to Lakshmi in his cabin. The table had a pile of envelopes from the travel agent on one side and a single envelop on the other. Lakshmi could sense what was coming, but she waited for the chairman to continue. “I’ve been to Priya last evening” taking his eye contact off Lakshmi’s he started to stare into his mobile and continued “ Doctor said it will be a week more before she could completely re coup.” Priya stepped on the ear ring which accidently fell off her partner’s jewellery while practicing. Heal being a soft part, the cut was deep and that put her out of practice since. “This is not charity, we cannot carry people all the way to Singapore on a holiday. More so when someone is not fit.” Finally he saw into her face and said “You must let her know the news and to her family too.”  “But it is a question of ethics,” she retaliated. “The child might lose faith in art, she might lose her confidence.” “We are not here to restore faith or carry ethics. We are lot more practical in our approach” said the chairman and walked out of the room.

Rahul, Lakshmi and Karthik were in a similar situation. All three of them were urged to be practical, but being practical also wanted them to keep their emotions away. Rahul was emotional attached to his father. He completed his assignment and flew straight back to Hyderabad. Being emotional about her role as a teacher Lakshmi did take back the envelop and asked the chairman to return the envelop which belonged to her as well. She assured him Priya was her responsibility and the trust did not have to pay for both of them. Finally karthik there after never  missed a coffee with Indu.

Can a Emotional person be Practical. Is being practical also imply you are not emotional. Most of us are emotionally attached to someone or something and there comes a situation where being practical means you cannot value your emotions any further. Carrying emotions and being practical are two sides of a coin. The probability is always 1/2. It can never be 1/3 where the 3rd likely event is being both practical and emotional. Being practically emotional or emotionally practical is like searching for salt in a sugar cane. 

"Practicality is a virtue which has no place in the Playing Space of Human Emotions"

Sakethursforever : ) 

788918400 & Counting

25 years 0 months 0 days or 300 months 0 days or 1304 weeks 3 days or 9,131 days or 219,144 hours or 13,148,640 minutes or 788,918,400 seconds and counting. That is the count on my biological calendar.


A Facebook share once told me " Life Is Not Measured By the Number of Breaths We Take, But By the Moments That Take Our Breath Away". And there is no better time to try and make few moments documented here on my digital scribbling pad. 

• The YES... mission accomplished...!! feel from within, when I received the first Appointment Letter .
• Magic I felt within myself steering a car all by myself. It is nothing short of magic.
• A dream accomplished feeling receiving first pay at work.
• Turning through the pages and wondering if books can be so addictive, reading through the   Doomsday Conspiracy.
• Writing down my first blog post and convincing myself I could be Dan Brown.
• A scholar kind of attitude that I saw in me while getting a Technical Research Paper published in an International Journal.
• That Jingle which range when I penned down my first poem, a song if you call it.
• Making a perfect weld joint at college, with all the protection gear on, making  a blow molded bottle cap, and carrying that feeling of being an engineer.
• Being on a deadly trek with 20 unknown people to an inundated island and finding a comfort zone beyond my thoughts. I met a different version of self there. 
• Getting an article published on one of the best national daily. 
• Proud feeling of being a teetotaler till date. 
• Clicking a scenic beauty and expecting the world to accept it as their wall paper.
• Finally finding that 5th zero added to your balance sheet of the bank account. It is truly a gratifying aura of satisfaction
• Finding clouds underneath your feet when someone said a Love you.
• Satisfactory Phone calls, messages and comments I get when I make a blog post.
• Gifting Mom, Dad, Sister, best friend with money made at work. A small pay back and an intense emotions .
• The killer smile which went ear to ear writing down a gritting short story.
• Feeling responsible at work place and working out of the box . 
• Puff of air which filled my lungs beneath the sea at the scuba dive.
• Getting 57 rupees 31 paisa return on investment on stock market. I thought I would become Warren Buffet soon. 
• Feeling secured having vast relational space to fall back when ever required. Friends, Relations and everyone else.

These are very few Breath Taken away moments I would cherish for a long long time. Shall try and add few more very soon this year. 
Happy Birthday Dude.

Sakethursforever : )

Unsung HERO's

At an amusement park holding my father's index finger, looking at gigantic ship-hull shaped toy suspended by a huge frame, I was amused to the core. The little 10 year old brain on my head was processing all sorts of feelings, it was pumping excitement to heart, processing the happy-fear alloyed cries my ears received, asked my left leg to take a step forward just when my right leg refused, foresaw what my stay on the ship would be on a full run. My father asked me if I was worried. I do not recollect what my reply was.  But I still hear what my superhero told me back then; " Do not worry about something happening to you on that ride, You are not the first person to do it and you will not be the last person either. There are many out there who did this before. Be a grown up kid, instill faith to your sister."  Time and again ever after, I kept telling my self that one line when ever the days were cold. 

We lookout for hero's to get inspired from. Sometimes from athletes, philanthropists, great personalities, movie stars, movies, books, authors, songs, iconic celebrities, politician, inspiration at professional level . We try to pick a lyric from one of our favorite song, then try and mold our self to fit into that lyric. We tend to imitate something good from a movie or novel . We tend to preach what our preferred celebrity/politician says. Irrespective of all that, there are few people who play a vibrant role in shaping our personality. Those hero's of your story who make you what you are today. Those you look up to in your time travel on this earth,  My father is one such super hero. And there are few more, few more who made a my script a multi-starred .

A friend since I knew myself, since the time I do not know, since I started sensing things around. He is the one person who introduced me to valuing people, valuing morals and valuing things around. A pillow I can always cushion back when ever I'm stressed. More than a Hero. A shadow if I can call him.

An other friend, who always thinks big, thinks positive, inspires in attempting such good things by initiating them. Every time I meet him, I get to know about a new thing; Technologically, Politically, Philosophically. Solving  a 5 point SU-DO-KU to me was exactly like what Oscar is to  DiCaprio. Then came someone who inspired me in attempting to believe I could solve one. Another friend who let me know the divinity in experiencing the feeling of driving. I was awestruck and it took me few days to come to terms with the fact that I could drive a four wheeler. And all it took to my driving guru is a couple of hours off out of his busy schedule to get me going. Yet another thing he taught me was to value money. There is one more mate whom I met whos got this amazing ability to be nice 24x7. Always cool, always speaking only good about others . 

It was not till I met a crazy girl did I realize there iisza crazy chap inside me as well. I could never believe a girl could do all those things until I personally experienced it with her. She let me know to be clam composed and crazy. She driving my bike with couple of us sitting behind, on the empty midnight streets of Hyderabad is just a trailer. She could dare to fly, strive to win and die to do what she loved.

Books; one thing I started because of my huge feelings for a girl and wanted a topic to keeping myself engaged in conversation with her. One of the best means I had was to borrow a book from her and read it hoping to catch up a discussion later sometime. Since then books turned out to be my second love. I started writing small stuff and update my blog to see if I could impress. Started to publish small columns on daily. Started to click my hobby of  posting few scenic photographs to see her attention. Another thing that stint taught me was enjoying music lyrically not just musically. 

There are those situations you encounter when you wish someone else was in your position to tackle the difficult situation you are in. And you know how they would behave. More often this marks the end of your difficult situation.  You kind of think what it would mean to people you respect if you either do or do not do something. It always tell you if you are right or not.

Somethings are pretty small in magnitude, but those are also the ones which gives you extreme pleasure. Sometimes we do few things because we get inspired, somethings we do to impress, sometimes out of necessity and sometimes because it is inevitable. Irrespective of why you do it, any Good that happens to you because of someone else is a blessing. Friends who gave invaluable suggestions, immeasurable courage, deep guidance and a extraordinary script called life, Family who gave direction and every little thing that helped me attaining any small amount of good inside me.My teachers who made me believe in attaining something.

MY HEROS. Gathered many hero's till date and waiting to meet many more....

Sakethursforever : )