Wabi-Sabi

On my way back home, from work, I glanced at the Shiva Temple and thanked God. I had had a bright and cheerful day. Yes, of course there were a few minor glitches as well, but well we never hit the sack with our prettiest and most exquisite dress, do we?  Being born and brought up in a family that is spiritual and yet not religious, I am clueless about religions, practices and cultures. Even as a child I had formed an impression that our first and foremost religion is humanity; everything else is secondary.  There are devout folk and the atheist crowd all around and we sometimes ponder over striking a balance. We do believe in ourselves but need assurance from others from time to time. Maybe this is why we have been told about God as the ultimate power who would ensure that we are tucked safely and contentedly in the bed, every night.  As we grow up we pick up habits, interests and the way of thinking, up to an extent. For different people, the...

One would end up opting for a rickshaw ride to reach Sadar bazaar of Paharganj which lies 3 kms ahead the RK Ashram metro station, and is bound to notice that none of the rickshaws have a bell to alert the passerbys. One would be taken by surprise as one hears a "Hello," every few minutes and turns back to find that it was no one but a rickshaw-puller trying to politely make you move aside. Not to forget the loaded horse carts and hand carts swarming the roads, avoiding clashes. There are a few shacks on the roadside where one can notice bamboo ladders, fences and mats being neatly crafted. The Bazaar is bizarre for the modern times, dilapidated and old, selling old trends like hot cakes. There are a few open  paranda  stalls lined up on the pavements and claim to be the cheapest in the capital( 10/- to 80/-), Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazaar being the only places still putting them up for sale. Colourful and reminiscent of olden days, they are undoubtedly a welco...

Nothing is perfect. Knowing that the people whom we love truly, love us back with all their heart, the feeling that follows the realization is surely close to perfect. Misgivings occur, things go wrong and many a times we do not know whom to turn to. But the people close to our heart will never step back or go away, they would only turn their face away hoping for you to sit beside them, hold them close even if they act invincible under your gaze and see the tears welling up in their eyes. Catch hold of their hand, cry a river, build a bridge and cross over to the other side. It may take time but eventually you would know that sharing such heart wrenching moments with them has brought you closer in an unexplainable way.  Yes, we cry and we laugh. We sit beside a window when it rains, relishing our favourite mug of coffee, smiling sheepishly, warm in the patchwork blanket of memories sewn together only for us, for a fulfilling day like this. We fight wit...

There is always a place, a moment or maybe more that holds only joy for us. A perfect time, a perfect place, a perfect day or two. Do not hesitate to enjoy it wholeheartedly. It is meant for you as you deserve it. Do not shy away from it. It is your safe haven and it is somewhere out there as your tree-house amidst the lush landscape of your favourite destination. That moment of happiness is going to be perfect for you no matter what. So, accept it with open arms and an open mind rather than dwelling upon the day that has gone by or the one ahead of you. Nothing and no one is perfect or will ever be. Perfection lies in happiness, the sort of happiness that embraces your heart warmly in a way that makes you smile your once in a blue moon ear-to-ear smile, without any care in the world. When you are happy just be as happy as you can be. That would be your moment. Your PERFECT moment. A few breaths, a lifetime.

A quote by Guru Nanak Dev Ji "From woman, man is born; within woman, man is conceived; to woman he is engaged and married. Woman becomes his friend; through woman, the future generations come. When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound. So why call her bad? From her, kings are born. From woman, woman is born; without woman, there would be no one at all !!"

Nothing can compete with friendship as friendship does not compete. It seeks love, an honest heart and a silent promise that does not boast but is borne in the heart of friends  ..in all seasons.. at all times. Here is a big thank you to all my friends and a small gift to all the friends with a big heart in this big world. Having a big heart does not mean the one that accommodates one and all but the one that bears no hatred and knows only love for the ones whom it wraps up in a warm embrace, the embrace called friendship