Poem 6: Lead by Mary Oliver

The last line can save us and lead us to a better world!

Lead – Mary Oliver

Here is a story

to break your heart.
Are you willing?
This winter
the loons came to our harbor
and died, one by one,
of nothing we could see.
A friend told me
of one on the shore
that lifted its head and opened
the elegant beak and cried out
in the long, sweet savoring of its life
which, if you have heard it,
you know is a sacred thing.,
and for which, if you have not heard it,
you had better hurry to where
they still sing.
And, believe me, tell no one
just where that is.
The next morning
this loon, speckled
and iridescent and with a plan
to fly home
to some hidden lake,
was dead on the shore.
I tell you this
to break your heart,
by which I mean only
that it break open and never close again
to the rest of the world.

Poem 5: Poetry by Pablo Neruda

A beautiful description of poetry and inspiration...fever or forgotten wings...

Poetry  – by Pablo Neruda 

And it was at that age … Poetry arrived

in search of me. I don’t know, I don’t know where

it came from, from winter or a river.

I don’t know how or when,

no they were not voices, they were not

words, nor silence,

but from a street I was summoned,

from the branches of night,

abruptly from the others,

among violent fires

or returning alone,

there I was without a face

and it touched me.

I did not know what to say, my mouth

had no way

with names,

my eyes were blind,

and something started in my soul,

fever or forgotten wings,

and I made my own way,

deciphering

that fire,

and I wrote the first faint line,

faint, without substance, pure

nonsense,

pure wisdom

of someone who knows nothing,

and suddenly I saw

the heavens

unfastened

and open,

planets,

palpitating plantations,

shadow perforated,

riddled

with arrows, fire and flowers,

the winding night, the universe.

And I, infinitesimal being,

drunk with the great starry

void,

likeness, image of

mystery,

felt myself a pure part

of the abyss,

I wheeled with the stars,

my heart broke loose on the wind.

To the phenomenon!

AverageWizard.com (the MLIA for Harry Potter nerds): 

To those who cried when they counted up the deaths. To those who waited in line for hours at midnight to get the first copies of the book. To those who watched every movie. To those who were very annoyed when some of the movies just didn't match up. To those who cried the second time they read the book, and Fred said, "When I get married." and they realized it wouldn't happen. To those whose books fell to pieces from being read to much. To the Harry Potter generation. To Dumbledore's Army. To the Muggle branch of Dumbledore's Army. To Dobby, Fred, Hedwig, Tonks, Lupin, and all of the nameless dead wizards. To The Greatest Series Of All Time. To Hogwarts, and To Dumbledore and Sirius. To everyone who will cry after the movie. To Us. The Harry Potter Generation. LONG LIVE HOGWARTS!!!

Personally;

To all the discussions and madness!! :) fb should have an option' love it', like is not enough. to those who waited months for the sequels to know harry's future. to those who cheered him while fighting voldemort in theatres. to those who discussed even the most obscure spells and characters.to those who protested to keep oliver wood in 3rd film. :) to those who kept changing their opinion about snape. he deserves at least that. :) to those who grew up with harry -The 'harry potter generation'. to jkr for writing it, and writing it so well!! its an end of an era! feeling lucky to be a part of the phenomenon.

7 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

I shared this reading list on FB as separate posts, however I think they would look good together too. Sharing these 7 unique books which helped me appreciate different things around us.

1. The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins

The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins & Yan Wong helps understand and appreciate biological Evolution (and Phylogeny i.e. evolutionary trees). Unlike other evolution books which start from primeval life to present. This comprehensive book journeys backwards in evolutionary history starting from present humans with creatures/pilgrims added in this backward journey. Interestingly, this arrangement is inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales.

Our shared ancestry with other living beings unravels as the book travels back in time to different nodes/common ancestors. There are 40 exciting rendezvous with interesting creatures/pilgrims before reaching the last common ancestor which the authors call "concestor". It also explains different evolutionary phenomena and relationships throughout the narrative. This book is very informative and a good read at the same time.

2. Middlemarch by George Eliot

Middlemarch by George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) is one of the longest books I read but never got bored of. It has an interesting mix of experience, narration, dialogues and incidents to discuss issues including status of women, marriage, idealism, self-interest, religion, hypocrisy, politics, etc, most of which are relevant even now. 

3. The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach

Although it says love story in description, this book is more about a person's journey and contemplation... A book when self help and mindfulness ideas were developing but not bound by it as they were not yet formed. It also represents diversity in many forms which was uncommon for its times. One more thing I like about it is one of the themes about taking ownership for nature surrounding us and need to do so. It attracts contradictory critical reviews and opinions but will be forever a favourite book of mine.

"We're the bridge across forever, arching above the sea, adventuring for our pleasure, living mysteries for the fun of it, choosing disasters triumphs challenges impossible odds, testing ourselves over and again, learning love and love and love!"

4. The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov

'Manuscripts don't Burn'

The Master and Margarita is a critique of Soviet society and its literary establishment during Stalin's regime. The story behind the making of this masterpiece is heartening and inspiring too. It was secretly written by Mikhail Bulgakov and was published by his wife 28 years after his death; aptly justifying the quote in the book - 'Manuscripts don't Burn'!

I just started reading it, where the Satan visits an atheist society and its people in Moscow in the 1930s. The story has many cultural references, symbolism, philosophical insights and worth the effort due to the satire, its plot and exploration of different human emotions. It has elements of Magic Realism explored by few of my favourite authors like Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, Haruki Murakami, and extending the definition a bit also Rowling and Harry Potter. The book basically troubles one in a good way.

5. Feluda by Satyajit Ray

I like these mystery stories because of the candid and quaint descriptions of Indian cities and their characteristics and the endearing lead characters.

6. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and its Marathi Translation 'Choughi Jani'by Shanta Shelke

I equally like Little Women and its Marathi Translation Çhoughi Jani, which is rare. This book is too well known for description but Joey and Rachel's exchange, in Friends, with 'Joey, Do you want to put the book in the fridge' kind of sums it up (how heartening and engaging it is).

         

7. A Room with a View by E. M. Forster

A Room with a View by E M Forster; like the name which can be interpreted in different ways; is a comedy, romance and social critique at the same time. A cool British novel which portrays contrasts and dilemmas really well, to quote the book - “Life is easy to chronicle, but bewildering to practice."

Sorrow – Close and Afar

So on a summer's day waves collect, overbalance, and fall; collect and fall; and the whole world seems to be saying 'that is all' more and more ponderously, until even the heart in the body which lies in the sun on the beach says too 'that is all'. Fear no more, says the heart. Fear no more, says the heart, committing its burden to some sea, which sighs collectively for all sorrows, and renews, begins, collects, lets fall.― Virginia Woolf, Mrs. Dalloway

In the Times of the Corona Pandemic, life is chaotic with things out of hands and out of scale. And add losses and shocking losses of people, famous or otherwise, to other reasons during these times. All may not be living with those losses but we do live with the empathy for those who are going through it. Is it that being always occupied in the usual race with time, people and tasks leaves some people weak in dealing with life without the race? What can one do when not to think or do something is more useful too? It is a tide of human trials and triumphs and being an observer too is not easy. 


But then what in life is easy or simple? The obvious good impacts, especially those in nature, show the uses of humanity slowing down. And this slowness also helps to learn and build mental strength and search for answers and questions and simple pleasures and most importantly peace. We have to learn to live with the virus and we have to learn to live with sorrows and hopes while living with it. One cannot use false optimism nor despairing pessimism but rather common sense to find a balance. And change from trying to stay ahead to being able to stay well. And yes... help and support others to do so as well. 

Poem 4: You deserve a lover by Frida Kahlo

You deserve a lover…

You deserve a lover who wants you disheveled, with everything and all the reasons that wake you up in a haste and the demons that won’t let you sleep.

You deserve a lover who makes you feel safe, who can consume this world whole if he walks hand in hand with you; someone who believes that his embraces are a perfect match with your skin.

You deserve a lover who wants to dance with you, who goes to paradise every time he looks into your eyes and never gets tired of studying your expressions.

You deserve a lover who listens when you sing, who supports you when you feel shame and respects your freedom; who flies with you and isn’t afraid to fall.

You deserve a lover who takes away the lies and brings you hope, coffee, and poetry.

— Frida Kahlo

I thought I will stick to my own words when maintaining this blog but then there are some words and thoughts, especially poetry, which personally affect you – so sharing them here too.

I liked these simple yet profound words coming from a lady who contributed to arts and society in many ways but was not duly appreciated in her own time. And yet her spirit longs for both doing those things and being with someone who appreciates that. I truly resonate with the thought of choosing optimism as key to a good life.

I believe the phrase  'You deserve' is the most important part here and the lover (though preferably an actual one) could be anyone who understands what one is going through. And hope, coffee and poetry are the best things to get and cherish after all!

Poem 3: A Love Poem by James Joyce

I encountered this poem and thought it a sublime combination of nature, experiences and philosophy. It suggests a sense of human defiance in the face of inevitable woe – that, love, music and laughter are not ignoble pleasures even in the face of the inevitable void. The softness of the language used too is very attractive.

Roughly, even when you are aware of the signs of sadness in your heart, as the sun wastes away and evening descends, ‘flying hair’ and music emerge as positive forces. 

I like the fact that rather than glorifying the trials it glorifies dealing with them.

It was published in James Joyce’s Collected Poems, in 1937. It belongs to the first section titled “Chamber Music” containing 36 untitled, numbered love poems. Source - https://www.brainpickings.org/2013/03/13/james-joyce-collected-poems-1937/

Some Meanings:
Presage - be a sign or warning/omen of (an imminent event, typically an unwelcome one)
Oread - a nymph believed to inhabit mountains
Irreverent - showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously like showing no respect for traditions, the rules of society, or religious beliefs
Lowliest - humblest, (here) basic

XXV

Lightly come or lightly go:
Though thy heart presage thee woe,
Vales and many a wasted sun,
Oread let thy laughter run,
Till the irreverent mountain air
Ripple all thy flying hair.

Lightly, lightly — ever so:
Clouds that wrap the vales below
At the hour of evenstar
Lowliest attendants are;
Love and laughter song-confessed
When the heart is heaviest.

 — James Joyce

UNDERSTANDING MYTHS BUT NOT BELIEVING THEM

I was never a religious person or even a religious child. And I always found it difficult to believe in religion because I think and because I had freedom to do so. It was a little difficult for me to make up my mind about believing or disbelieving god. It still feels like just a grammatical mistake if I don’t use capital ‘G’ while spelling god. However; I no longer care because I have made up my mind. I am an agnostic atheist. And I still believe in good and evil but no longer in god and devil.

Firstly it is very difficult to accept religious dictates because they mostly do not allow reasoning. I have exposure to Hinduism and follow it only when it stands well along with logical reasoning. I have some idea about Buddhism and Jainism and am not much aware about other religions. But I am sure they have good preachings too. Any rational human can appreciate and uphold ideas that cater to peace, strength, morality and compassion. But there is a vast difference in accepting these ideas on merit as opposed to accepting them as doctrines. Because ideas, when not elevated to any higher status, can be challenged and evolve faster with time and circumstances. Make them a doctrine and they don’t get challenged in the first place. Any concept is susceptible to misinterpretation irrespective of its origin or position. But it is more vulnerable, and in turn correctable, when subjected to continuous scrutiny.

As far good teachings in a religion are concerned, there is no harm in following or respecting them. But follow them after retrospection and not blindly. Good things exist in any form or format of expressions. Many good lessons can be learnt from fairy tales. But it doesn’t compel one to believe they are real. They are only making a logical point. One can understand or decipher logic behind myths. But it is presumptuous to believe in them only because they exist. I think same applies to religion, science or any philosophy. Thinking and creativity ought to be treated judiciously irrespective of the way they are propagated.

Trying to join pieces to make a structure sometimes distorts reality

Seeing Past Differently

Life makes one deal with events, many times, without prior notice. The same event which shocks you, surprises you at a different time. The mind teaches you different things with same experience, on different occasions. Looking at past is not often flattering (especially when you are in the brooding phase). It is perhaps not always truthful because it changes with perception. And it doesn't help to dwell in it. But, once in a while, it is good to inspect it as an outsider, treat is as an example and look at it critically.  Just retrospect whether you have created a pattern you cannot break. Or to put it more practically, a pattern which you are reluctant to discontinue. 

Patterns define comfort zone and that is a misnomer. Staying in comfort zone limits possibilities. Because to deal with life, one needs to learn to adapt. And the two ways to accomplish that is to cross your limits or have none. Very few people are strong/insane enough to take the second option. Therefore it is a safer option to practice the first one. And it needs to be practiced; that too meticulously. One never gets perfect at it but may grow better. This effort is only required if you chose to think. And if you understand that- Life teaches one not only from experience but also from observation. 

Looking at past has its own costs and benefits. It follows the old maxim credited to Paracelsus- sola dosis facit venenum (Dosage alone determines poison). We should not be afraid or obsessed with past even when it doesn't fit in with our current situation. And we need to make sure that we use it wisely. We need to realize that past is not the reality but your memory of it. It never helps as a reference but serves as a building stone for your decisions. Hence it is very important how you perceive it. Make sure you make it count and appreciate it's worth. And be aware when it is holding you back. This balancing and juggling act is not a trial but a trick one ought to learn.

We cannot be rid of past and hence need to deal with it well. It may not be worth much in greater happenings in the universe but it affects your way of looking at the universe. The present generally affects actions and the past affects reactions. However; sometimes it is wiser to reverse the roles depending on the situation. One can easily live with past but one must not live in it. Like most of the things in life, past needs to be worked on very carefully. Henry Timrod puts it well in his poem titled, 'The Past'-

To-day's most trivial act may hold the seed

Of future fruitfulness, or future dearth;

Oh, cherish always every word and deed!

The simplest record of thyself hath worth.

If thou hast ever slighted one old thought,

Beware lest Grief enforce the truth at last;

The time must come wherein thou shalt be taught

The value and the beauty of the Past.

Not merely as a warner and a guide,

"A voice behind thee," sounding to the strife;

But something never to be put aside,

A part and parcel of thy present life.

Not as a distant and a darkened sky,

Through which the stars peep, and the moon-beams glow;

But a surrounding atmosphere, whereby

We live and breathe, sustained in pain and woe.

A shadowy land, where joy and sorrow kiss,

Each still to each corrective and relief,

Where dim delights are brightened into bliss,

And nothing wholly perishes but Grief.

Ah, me! -- not dies -- no more than spirit dies;

But in a change like death is clothed with wings;

A serious angel, with entranced eyes,

Looking to far-off and celestial things. 

Studying different colours of past is as amusing as having a colourful one

To the 'GREAT'ness....

I never thought I would dedicate a blog to a  movie, but I would like to make an exception because it's based on a book. And a great book at that! I am not a fan of  film adaptations of novels. But I do like to be proven wrong sometimes. :-) And I was more than happy when the 'The Great Gatsby' film actually proved to be worth the wait! So here's my review of the book and the movie on the book.

What Fitzgerald actually talks about is the beginning of Jazz age. First, about its grandeur and exuberance and then its extreme dark side. Not directly but through a storyline. His book is not just an description, but a visual extravagant portrayal by a highly imaginative mind. He describes people, places and situations as illusions or like illusions. And the film actually captures that visual treat quite perfectly! It's simply Great! 'Great' is only a word. However, the story refers to the effect it adds to everything it is used with. Be it dreams, money, emotions or carelessness. So, basically, the book is not rich just because of the atmosphere in which it is set up. And not a thing about the film is even distantly related to simplicity, as it ought to be.

The story starts with..."Whenever you feel like criticizing any one just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you've had.” And it implies it all the while. I forgot to mention that the dialogues are a treat as well. It's not just because of the way they impact you but also because of the philosophy behind them. About direction, acting, technicalities and music of the film, all are very good and in the spirit of the book. Overall, I would say one may not fall in love with it the way I did. But it will definitely impress you, at least while watching it. Or leave you breathless when you read it!

Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future
that year by year recedes before us.

Personally, I would always prefer the novel over the film. And it will always be the original one. A film cannot match up to it but certainly live up to it. And 'THE GREAT GATSBY' does do that! So thanks to F. Scott Fitzgerald for the great novel! And to the cast and crew for the film!(Although, one hitch, it doesn't include the very important-Gatsby confiding "Her voice is full of money". Which explains a lot about many things happening in the story.)

On the edge

I went to a fort few months ago. We climbed on a wall over a straight rock face. It was an amazing experience. The thing that scared me the most, is the realization after getting a view of where I had gone. The fact that I got scared only after looking at in from a different perspective is the most important part. What we did in itself was neither dangerous nor risky. All we did was to climb and sit, which we do every day in our life. This was only in a different backdrop. In the end, it was worth it! It's just the awareness or realization of where you are that scares you the most. I think that is the best part about trying yourself. You may fall or achieve something really good. But you will never know that unless you have tried it. 

You never know your capabilities unless you actually challenge yourself. That moment has helped me with my fear for heights a bit at least! It's not that I no longer get scared. But just that I can deal with that fear and go on longer. I know what i am writing may not be unique and something quiet obvious. The most fascinating part is that I realized it on my own. I never really get tired of doing something. Rather, luckily, I get to do things I really like. What really tires me is not doing anything. The only thing to do with energy/enthusiasm is- use it. And you always have some more left. Don't use it, and still its just some more left and not very much. That is why I love to try, exert and test myself.

Been on the edge has repercussions too. But they are easier to bear if you willingly do what you want to do. Being reckless is foolish but being adventurous only enriches your capabilities more. The most crucial part, of course, is knowing the difference between the two.  I too wish for a peaceful life but not one without experiences. Because only when you have tested yourself, you can make peace with what you are. As my one of my Guru says the more you stretch yourself physically, healthier you get. I think that is applicable in life too. 

Lastly, what you need most in unpredictable life is consistent strength. There are various types of strength. The one I find most challenging and yet most worthy is tolerance. It's somewhat like these lines I once read-

Poem 1 & Poem 2: The Lamb and The Tiger by William Blake

Two beautiful poems by William Blake which represnt two different natures- The Tyger and The Lamb,  published in 1794. They mean much more when you read them together.

First is 'THE LAMB' from 'Songs of innocence' which describes innocence...

The second is ' THE TYGER' from his collection 'Songs of experience' which describes the evil. I had heard this poem but never realised its actual meaning till i read both together.The Tyger also presents a duality between aesthetic beauty and primal ferocity. Thanks to Wikipedia! And the best part is both the animals are used only as a metaphor! :) :P

An apt representation of the poem and it's message!

The element of surprise

A masterpiece by Renoir

  I go to the Tekdi when I am happy. I go to the Tekdi when I am sad. I go to the Tekdi  when I feel nothing...But going there always makes me feel good! Even if I get used to the beauty there, things keep happening which surprise me! Some things like walking along a peacock in breeding plumage, which I experienced recently. Or the different flowers, birds, clouds and hues and places I view daily. They add their novelty to the same old place. This is one part about the Tekdi I love the most! Experiencing something I don't expect....

  Its always enjoyable to experience a great work of art, be it- a movie, a painting, a book, a poem, a recipe or anything else. And, of course, I especially enjoy the recommended ones. But you must have sometime or the other discovered something on your own or stumbled upon something and found it engaging. That gives you a satisfaction which is unique in itself. That's the element of surprise which keeps things paced up and fresh in life! It doesn't always have to be something extraordinary or out of the world. But it is always something you never expected or imagined to exist. That is the blessing of innocence, inexperience, unawareness, which makes the thing so striking. As we grow old, the opportunity for this reduces and so does our appreciation of it!

  I so miss those times when I was used to these surprises! Now, ironically enough, I have to search for them. But they are still very inspiring ever time I experience them! But saying this, I have to admit that these out-of-expectation happenings also increase as you grow old. But only in a different way. Because you become judgmental about most things. Thus when something doesn't happen as you predicted it, that's another surprise for you! If you can take it that way!But mostly we don't because of the fear of disappointment. Richard Bach says, "The meaning I picked, the one that changed my life: Overcome fear, behold wonder." So what we really need to learn is to accept change and change the attitude of accepting things nonchalantly. As Albert Einstein puts it-'He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.' 

  Coming back to Tekdi and few such good things in life, even though they are not exactly surprises, there are some rare  but unpredictable moments which always take your breath away. I wish and hope that I capture them every time and many times! They inspire you every time you see them. So all this unexpectedness almost always leaves you overwhelmed. I don't have to describe how these moments affect you. Because I won't be able to do it as well as Guy de Maupassant does in his story Mother Savage-

We, whom the country enchants, keep tender memories of certain springs, certain woods, certain pools, certain hills seen very often which have stirred us like joyful events. Sometimes our thoughts turn back to a corner in a forest, or the end of a bank, or an orchard filled with flowers, seen but a single time on some bright day, yet remaining in our hearts like the image of certain women met in the street on a spring morning in their light, gauzy dresses, leaving in soul and body an unsatisfied desire which is not to be forgotten, a feeling that you have just passed by happiness.

  So here's my tribute to the joy of surprises!  And the unpredictable moments that always make life so worthwhile! I will end this blog with William Wordsworth's poem which again is about appreciating nature-My heart leaps up.

My heart leaps up when I behold

A Rainbow in the sky:

So was it when my life began;

So is it now I am a man;

So be it when I shall grow old,

Or let me die!

The Child is father of the man;

And I wish my days to be

Bound each to each by natural piety.

At the Lake

  
This ought to be the first blog I should have written! But somehow the blog name is too obvious for me to write about it. Because lake is something I very much relate to and have been used to! Come to think of it, there are so many associations with that word, that, it struck me just like that! Kind of, by default.  However, the main association concerned with this blog is contemplation. This you might have already guessed from the earlier posts. Of course, lake is just a medium, but nature always makes you ‘think’! Even though we never give much thought towards nature. 

In general, I love water. And I have grown up near a lake and hopefully, have grown better with my understanding about it. So it is kind of my first and life long association with beauty of nature. And any form of it lifts up my spirit! So I consider myself very lucky, that every time I need a place to escape to, I get to see one! Be it a small patch not intimidated by the man-made structures around it or some other place in the wilderness. These places give me a chance to be inspired.  So the name of the blog.

Nature, It exists. And what we observe about it is only up to the limit of our understanding of it. And yet it is overwhelming! So it always inspires me! This blog  is some place where I can write what I wish and not what I am expected to!  Hence, the blog name is also a tribute to its contribution in my life, thoughts and emotions. I guess everyone needs some way to always remain inspired and mine will always be nature. To summarize what I think, I like this line I read by Ralph Waldo Emerson although I don't know its context-

Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world.

And lastly, but most importantly, I will end this blog with my first and forever favourite poem. An excerpt from Wordsworth's Daffodils-

I gazed --- and gazed --- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

 
P. S. : Being interested in science, although it is out of context, couldn't help sharing this! -

http://www.phombo.com/anime-cartoons-comics/calvin-and-hobbes/4826/full/ 


  

With a little help from my friends

I remembered this song by the Beatles and fell in love with it once again-


What do I do when my love is away 
(Does it worry you to be alone?) 
How do I feel by the end of the day 
(Are you sad because you're on your own?)
No, I get by with a little help from my friends 
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends 
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends


The Beatles have a song for almost everything and that too mostly a good one. I especially love the last three lines! There are many people you know, some people you care about and only a few who matter. I would like to dedicate this post to some of those who do! There are many poems, stories, movies about friendship and yet it impresses you every time! To Friends...


Currently, everywhere I go, I hear people defining things. I wonder, how one could define friendship? As far as I am concerned; I know it, experience it and appreciate it. And that is enough for me! Simply put- friendship is when you mutually like the talks, arguments, fights, pranks, mirth, and so on. Like the characters in modern movies; behaviour of your friends with respect to you keeps on changing. It may range from protection, support, encouragement, confidence, camaraderie, criticism,  warning, scold; as per requirement. I believe it is a phenomenon - Its easier to help a friend in dilemma and easier to solve your's with the help of your friends. It may not be a universal truth but I have experienced it quite a few times! Friends are the ones who trouble you without troubling you. And basically, those who help you and stand by you when trouble comes from a different source. One thing that characterizes friendship is that you are on common grounds with people, which is not the case in all relationships. This helps you to understand yourself and each other better. In a difficulty, the solution appears simpler when facing it with friends. Because you know there is a back up or someone to suffer along with. So, when things aren't going right, friends are the only people who will ease it off by joking about it. :) 


One bad thing about friendship is the times when you miss your friend. But sometimes the missing part gives you a chance to look forward to something. Time is said to be very valuable. And only with friends, it is valuable even when you waste it together. I think one thing you share with friends and which you never stop loving is memories. And the best part is that you can miss them together. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for everything! And looking forward to all the great times ahead! I once received a text from a friend. It kind of summarized friendship in one word- SHARING. And on this note, I will end this one. I will conclude with a very meaningful and beautiful line from an amazing movie I recently watched! The movie 'Into the Wild' -

Happiness is real only when shared!

Photo credit: To a friend :)

P. S. : Dear Friends, Thanks for your encouragement! Criticism welcome too. :)

आजी

I would like to start this blog by dedicating it to one of the most beloved persons in my life although she is not a part of it now... my Aaji. Aaji taught us many lessons without words through her actions. She taught me one thing that we know but don't always understand. She taught me to BELIEVE. This is my first attempt at blogging. Aaji, this one is for you.....

Aaji never spoke much earlier but her silence conveyed most of her feelings. I went to Konkan last month. I couldn't help remembering our family trips there. We kept worrying about health of my grand parents and they surprised us every time with their enthusiasm. Their roaming was of course limited but their spirit never. 

We once went to Aaji's village there. We didn't even know if descendants of her family still lived there. Luckily we got to meet them and their hospitality just left us speechless. We also saw a letter written by her father. I will never forget her expressions as she read it. There are no words to describe them, they can only be felt.  

Aaji always engaged herself in one thing or other. People get tired of work, she got tired of not working. She never called herself old after 89 years! After her paralytic attack all she was looking forward to was the day when she would walk by herself again. She did complain of her troubles but she never let it affect her recovery. Even during her illness, she constantly kept herself involved in things like drawing, singing, reading, writing. She was an interminable source of optimism for us.

She always encouraged us to follow our dreams and more importantly our choices. And encouraged us even more when we failed at something! And one thing that cheered you the most was her smile! One thing I miss the most about her is her innocent, genuine and patient smile. I had heard the saying 'patience is a virtue', in her I observed it. 

Even imagining her forbearance during all the hardships and losses she faced exhausts my patience. I don't remember Aaji  being overjoyed or depressed or angry. But almost always she was contented and hopeful. 

There are no better words than these by John Denver which put her philosophy and attitude in a perspective-

To see in the darkness, to listen within 
To answer in kindness, to ever begin
To ever be gentle, to always be strong
To walk in the wonder, to live in the song