Time...

...slips into eternity, never to return. Every second ticking away dutifully not stopping to pause or wait or stay.

What we do and how we live sometimes gets into auto mode. We forget to notice not just time, even life slipping by. To wake up with a sudden jolt at moments and then again to be buried into mechanical inertia.

Spark

A spark can both burn down or enlighten. Depends on how the spark originates and is handled. However it originates, the power of creation or destruction are endless. It is how we handle the fire, gives the result. Sometimes it enables us to cook a fabulous meal, read a beautiful book, light an entire city, or burn down a lush green forest forever.

Bharathi wrote in beautiful Tamil "Agnikkunjondru..." I feel I cannot bring in the feel and power of those four lines by translation. But while thinking back on the sparks - too many are let to die un attended...

I wonder how ever to bring the light out from the darkness. What??? Bring light out from dark?? How can darkness engulf light? When it is clouded by dark smoke or darker clouds we cannot see the light right? In smoke and cloud, even light can be hidden behind darkness. Some darkness, such as ignorance and arrogance are such strong clouds that they can hide even the brightest sparks.

With gentle breeze of wisdom, strength, and the determination of the waves, navigate the smoke away to enjoy a sweet brightness.

Choices

To be or not to be is an every day dilemma for every single human in every waking moment. From what to wear to work, what to pack for lunch, do I need to say yes or no to something in life. Its the choices that we make at those moments shapes our everyday destiny. So the relationship between the dilemma, destiny and choices can define what we want to be from what we are.

For most of us, what we want to be is entirely different from what we are. And most do regret the choices made. Most often the choices are not reversible too. The underlying factor? Make choices and stick with them. How to make the choices? Think, discuss, analyze and decide. But after deciding - don't think, discuss or analyze the decision. Nope - that wont help you or the person you are discussing with. You can do all these three with further actions, but not about the decision itself.

Being happy with our own choices or working to be happy with our choices will definitely help us to be content. And being content is the first step towards enjoying the moment and appreciating life.

Nature

It was a lovely reprieve from the fast paced everyday reality. The woods were simply gorgeous, romantic and so very real with marks of human invasion. Who planted all those sequoia trees all over the region? Very famously known as the red woods – after recently reading the native American history and life style, all through the train trip – I was completely immersed in the life, beauty and hardship of aborigines in America, India and elsewhere. How close they lived with nature…and how they co existed with nature. After standing with me on the open observation car, looking at the tall trees all the way to Northspur.
My son asked me – “Mom, why do we cut the trees? Can we not just use the naturally fallen trees to make paper? And use something else for other things?” Well though I didn’t have a reasonable answer, I am happy to see an environmentalist in the making. I got to admit – the fear of unknown is much stronger driving in the night through the dense thick lush and dark forest with no light other than the car headlights. Can’t beat the sense of scared adventure J
I feel close to God when I am closer to nature (and without the chores to remind my human existence that is)!!!

On demand

Can everything in life be on demand? What about family and friends? Some times for some folks everything including these two basic features of human existence seems to be necessary only on demand. And that makes me wonder - how does it make the person being approached on demand feel.

May be for the first few times, its OK. If the one that is approaching on demand is really in need of support....and after the need it satisfied, the friend or family vanishes into oblivion. What triggers that sudden outbursts of needy clingyness and equally strong estrangement?
When they approach to unload, never once do they ask if its convenient to the other or do they have time, or are they doing well etc, etc. This truly makes me think on the purpose of investing time, energy and honest caring to the person.

May be in future, we will have businesses such as "Friendship On Demand" and "Family On Demand" booming. Are am I being ignorant of any existing businesses like that now?

Safe Haven

And so it began....Reading Nicholas Sparks. Reading has always been my safe haven. So on a rainy day in dull spirits, I started Nicholas Sparks' Safe Haven. Well as a Danielle Steel fan - I do read a mixture of books, from Dante to Danielle Steel.


Now hooked on to this writer I have never read before. Apparently he has been on the bestsellers list. But after my unhappy encounter with Eat Love and Pray I tried to stay away from books that are hailed as best sellers :). I started considering best sellers as a big no no - though my mind of reasoning kept telling me not all best sellers are like "Eat Love and Pray". I did like "Three Cups of Tea"....

If you are looking at some light reading to get entertained during travel, waiting etc...Niccholas Sparks can sparkle the time away.

Loss

It hurts the darkest recesses of heart
Dealing with it becomes an art
Enigmatic realizations of the end
Engulfing waking moments with no mend

Sudden bolts of bittersweet moments
Fills minutes with dazed remnants
Silent screams fill the air
Like a dumb singer memories fare...